Dopamine is the hormone responsible for driving and reinforcing habits, so the dopamine release given from screens results in a sort of addiction to those screens, in a dopamine feedback loop similar to those in the brains of cocaine users.
Electronic addiction is often compared to substance abuse, both of which have a stimulating effect on the brain. Like addiction to drugs and alcohol, electronics devices offer kids a way to escape their feelings of pain and troubling situations.
Causes of Technology Addiction
Boredom, sleeplessness, lack of purpose or even social isolation can be triggers. Lack of parenting can also encourage the onset of these disorders, as can the lack of opportunity to engage in other activities.
ADHD and Screen Addiction
Research shows that kids with ADHD are at high risk for developing screen addiction. In fact, it's estimated that up to 25% of kids and teens with ADHD suffer from some form of screen addiction.
Though screen time doesn't cause ADHD, some studies have suggested that children with ADHD may be at increased risk of developing a screen addiction. While parents of children with ADHD can try to be aware of their kid's screen time, most children's screen time falls short of addiction, according to Lightfoot.
That's because screens and sleep do not mix. The light emitted by the typical screen inhibits the production of melatonin in our brains. Melatonin is the chemical that allows us to fall and stay asleep. In other words, a screen is like a wake up call for our brains.
Screen time overloads the sensory system, fractures attention, and depletes mental reserves. Experts say that what's often behind explosive and aggressive behavior is poor focus. When attention suffers, so does the ability to process one's internal and external environment, so little demands become big ones.
Screen addiction disorder is characterized by excessive and compulsive use of digital devices, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop. Screen addiction can affect a teen's relationships, their confidence, and their ability to manage responsibilities like school and work.
The results were dramatic: The children who gazed the longest had 7.7 times more of a chance of meeting criteria for an ADHD diagnosis. Screen time even outranked other major things that can cause attention problems, including lack of proper sleep, social and economic status, and parents' stress.
If your child comes home after a bad day at school and needs a TV show or game to make him feel better or offer an escape, researchers say it could be a sign of screen addiction.
The study concluded that people who spent more than six hours in front of a computer or TV each day outside of daily work or school responsibilities were more likely to develop depressive symptoms.
Some effects of screen time over usage are depression, anxiety and brain fog, as well as the inability to regulate consumption of media, cyberbullying/harassment and self-isolation. Regulation of screen time is vital to progressive mental health stability and recovery.
Post-screen-time anger, its causes
In multiple studies, excessive screen time has been linked to school problems, anger, aggression, frustration, depression and other emotional problems. Over-stimulation causes kids to have poor focus and depletes their mental energy, which often leads to explosive behavior.
Yousuf said pediatricians generally recommend the following guidelines: Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
Recent research shows that kids who spend seven hours every day on screens are twice more likely to show signs of anxiety and depression. Children who spend much time on their screens rarely have time for mental breaks, connect with their surroundings, and have peaceful and quiet minds.
Children with ESS exhibit symptoms due to chronic hyperarousal that cause significant dysfunction in school, at home, or with peers. Typical signs and symptoms include emotional dysregulation, poor executive functioning, disruptive or maladaptive behavior, insomnia, and nonrestorative sleep.
Too much screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression, anxiety and lower test scores in children. Children should limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours per day.