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Psychologists say that studies have suggested that kids engaged in excessive screen time are becoming more moody, depressed and showing decreased motivation.
Children and teens are spending too much time looking at screens, psychologists say, and this is leading to a host of behaviors they say are becoming disturbingly commonplace.
Psychologists say that too much screen time is leading kids to be overly-charged, resulting in irritability and angry rages.
Psychologists note another predictable behavior they call “wired and tired.” It’s a state in which children are actually exhausted, but exhibit agitation. The excess screen time leaves them overly aroused, unable to unwind despite their exhaustion.
Hyperarousal has an effect on the brain’s frontal lobe. This is the area where regulation of our mood occurs.
Another effect of such excessive arousal is that it prevents deep sleep, a sleeping state that is necessary for the body to heal itself.
Electronics, and gaming, in particular, tend to release an excess of dopamine, the feel-good chemical in our brains. This is the same effect that many drugs, such as cocaine, have on our brains.
When these chemicals are overused and released too often, our brains then become less sensitive. Therefore, we require more stimuli to experience pleasure. Again, these effects are very similar to drug addiction. Experts say that small changes in dopamine sensitivity can destabilize how children feel and function.
Another brain chemical affected by too much screen time is cortisol, the stress hormone associated with our “fight-or-flight” response. Levels of cortisol have a strong effect on depression. Secondly, this can lead to a poor reaction to stress, resulting in excessive defensiveness, which manifests by way of irritability or angry outbursts.
Our body clock is regulated by light. Screen time seems to delay the release of melatonin, a hormone produced by our pineal gland that plays a role in sleep. A small amount of screen time can delay the release of melatonin by several hours, and as a result, it can de-synchronize the body clock.
Thus, children have a harder time falling asleep or sleeping deeply. Poor quality sleep can result in a variety of effects on one’s health.
Psychologists say the best fix for the problem is what they call an “electronics fasting.” This is exactly what it sounds like – eliminating the use of all electronics for several weeks. They say this allows the nervous system to “reset” and reverse the effects that excessive screen time has had on hormones and the body clock.
The result is an improvement in mood, less stress, better sleep and a diminishing of depression. Psychologists say it is also important to encourage physical activity during this “electronics fasting” period.
