A significant number of teenagers and younger children are increasingly immersed in the digital world, with a large percentage owning smartphones and describing themselves as constantly connected.
NOWADAYS REALITY OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND SCREENS AND THEIR POSSIBLE EFFECTS IN CHILDREN
EFFECTS IN CHILDREN
Early expose to inappropiate content
Infatuation with life on screens rather than life in the real world
Growing need for constant stimulus
Increasingly distracted famili interaction
Breakdown of empathy between children
NOWADAYS REALITY
Teens who report feeling "addicted have higher rates of mental health problems
Three quarters of teenagers own a smartphone. 24% describe themselves as constantly connected and 50% report feeling "addicted". The ones belonging to that 50% have higher rates of mental health problems
Preschoolers are already starting to media-multitask, for example using an iPad while watching TV
2 years old children use mobile devices daily and the majority of 1 year old use a mobile device
Children start to interact with digital media as young as 4 months of age
PROTECTION MEASURES IN EUROPE AND THE ROLE OF FAMILIES AS MEDIATORS
Subtopic
Parents should feel comfortable seeing digital media as a tool to meet their parenting need
There are a number of ways parents can use media together with their young children to encourage family connection, learning, and digital literacy skills
The role of families as mediators is very important because it improves learning and understanding and it helps stablishing health routines
PROTECTION MEASURES
Combat child sexual abuse material online and child sexual exploitation
Unlock the potential of the market for interactive, creative and educational online content
Children have particular needs and vulnerabilities on the Internet, which must be addressed specifically
New and higher quality content and services, dedicated to children, have to be developed
MAIN ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES IN THE USE OF SCREENS WITH CHILDREN
DISADVANTAGES
Children who watch television for more than two hours a day can have behavioral problems
Prolonged TV viewing might lower cognitive abilities related to short-term memory, early reading, math skills and language development
Can cause them addiction which might end up with vision problems and obesity
Preschoolers learn best through face-to-face interaction
ADVANTAGES
Entertainment may help them developing skills, improving creativity and resources to solve problems, whithout even noticing it
Audiovisual products may inspire and encourage children to try new things
Exposure to quality content can enhace social and language skills (2/+ yaers old)
Audiovisual products are able to broaden horizonts by showing them different realities and opening a gateway into the world
