The Effects on Behavior and Psychology

Screens
Something that I notice when I allow my children to spend more time than normal on their screens is that they become more sassy, disobedient and verbally violent. They get angry and upset when it is time to put the screens away. Or they beg and plead for more time. There is almost always an argument when it’s time to put the screens away!

When I talk to other parents about this behavior shift, I find they almost always have experienced the same thing! It gets dramatic when it’s time to turn off the technology.

This goes back to the “feel-good” messages being sent by the neuro-transmitters in our brains. Tantrums, depression, aggression, and many other psychological issues have strong links to how often we are utilizing our technology.

Reading Books
With books, those “feel-good” messages are still present, but they are not overwhelming the overall experience. Your brain is actively taking a moment to understand what you are reading and I’d even argue that it encourages getting up and taking a break to go do something else. Books have a beginning and an end. Long books have chapters, natural stopping points.

One of the issues I have with screens of all sorts from game apps to Netflix is that they seem to be designed to encourage binging.

Although I am sure all of us have read a book or two in our lives that we “couldn’t put down” that is the exception, not the rule. Reading does require a certain amount of physical and mental exertions. So, taking a break is a natural part of the process!

So, the next time you know you are going to be taking your kids somewhere where they will need to hang out patiently while you get something accomplished, try sticking a couple of books, a kids’ magazine, the comics in your purse. Keep your phone put away. The less they see us using it, the less they will think about it as the only alternative to “being bored.” They may not like it at first, but they can adapt very quickly once they know a screen is not an option. Oh, and if you are going to be waiting as well, bring something to read with you, or pick up a magazine in the waiting room!

All of the images used today come from a larger infographic by WhatIsDryEye.com, referenced in the Forbes article by Alice Walton.

Links to Articles Referenced!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2018/04/16/how-too-much-screen-time-affects-kids-bodies-and-brains/#62d9c39e1549

https://medium.com/@alltopstartups/the-reading-brain-why-your-brain-needs-you-to-read-every-day-f5307c50d979

http://www.oprah.com/health/how-reading-can-improve-your-memory

https://oedb.org/ilibrarian/your-brain-on-books-10-things-that-happen-to-our-minds-when-we-read/

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