Screens and their content have been embedded in our lives since the late 1990s. They are often cited as culprits for various behavioral, emotional, learning, and attitude challenges faced by today’s children and adolescents. This rise in screen use coincides with the emergence of new educational methods, which reveal a noticeable decline in the self-control and willpower required to manage screen time effectively.
Screens are not inherently negative; in fact, they offer valuable access to information, foster social connections, and promote skill development. Nevertheless, the real challenge lies in regulating their use and carefully selecting the information we consume.
What Are Screens?
Screens can be primarily categorized into three types:
- Smartphones: Emerging in the late 1990s and early 2000s, smartphones have rapidly evolved into multifunctional devices. They integrate communication, internet access, and a vast array of applications that facilitate various daily activities.
- Tablets: Although their origins date back to the 1980s and 1990s, tablets have gained significant popularity as consumer devices over the last decade. They continue to evolve and serve multiple purposes, such as reading, entertainment, education, and work, due to their portability and ability to bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops.
- Personal Computers (PCs): Since their invention in the 1970s, PCs have undergone substantial evolution. They became household and office staples in the 1990s, with price reductions and the rise of the internet accelerating their adoption. In the 2000s, laptops gained prominence, benefiting from advancements like faster processors, lighter LCD screens, and longer-lasting batteries.
Today, screens continue to evolve and adapt to users' changing needs in terms of power, portability, and functionality, maintaining their significance in daily life for education, work, and entertainment.
Some Content of Screens:
- Video Games: Video games have a rich history spanning decades, originating in the 1950s, with consoles gaining popularity in the 1980s. The 2010s saw a surge in access to video games, thanks to mobile devices and digital gaming platforms like Steam, Google Play, and the App Store. Today, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are thriving, while eSports have gained immense popularity, evolving into major global events. Video games encompass a wide range of genres and platforms, influencing entertainment, physical and mental rehabilitation, and the training of high-performance athletes.
- Social media: Social media has dramatically transformed how individuals communicate and exchange information. Its evolution has unfolded in several phases, beginning in the 1990s with platforms that allowed users to create profiles and connect with friends, as well as forums and discussion groups. LinkedIn (2003) focused on professional networking, while Facebook (2004) started as a space for university students and quickly became the largest social network globally. YouTube (2005) and Twitter (2006) also played key roles in shaping social media, with Instagram (2010), Snapchat (2011), WhatsApp (2010), and TikTok (2016) introducing unique modes of communication. Social media has profoundly impacted communication, marketing, politics, and culture, becoming an integral part of daily life for millions.
Let’s Examine Some Common Beliefs About the Use of Screens:
1. The Use of Screens Reduces Brain Gray Matter.
Gray matter is a component of the central nervous system, primarily consisting of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, synaptic connections, glial cells, and capillaries. It differs from white matter, which is mainly composed of myelinated axons. Gray matter plays a crucial role in information processing and muscle control, among other functions. This substance grows through learning and the retention of new information. Cultivating calmness enhances this process, along with encouraging physical exercise and ensuring adequate rest.
The decrease in brain gray matter is more closely linked to a lack of self-control, learning, and the retention of new information rather than simply the use of screens.
2. The Use of “Screens” Leads to Excess Cortisol.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands located above the kidneys. It plays a vital role in various bodily functions and is commonly referred to as the "stress hormone," as its levels rise in response to physical or emotional stress. Cortisol has several important functions:
- Metabolism Regulation: It helps control the utilization of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the body while providing energy through gluconeogenesis, the process of glucose production in the liver.
- Stress Response: It prepares the body to handle emergencies by increasing available energy and enhancing the short-term responsiveness of the immune system.
- Immune System Modulation: It has anti-inflammatory properties and can suppress immune responses to help manage inflammation.
- Blood Pressure Regulation: It plays a role in maintaining blood pressure and the balance of salt and water.
- Sleep-Wake Cycle: It influences sleep patterns and is associated with the circadian rhythm; cortisol levels typically peak upon waking and diminish throughout the day.
While cortisol is essential for health, prolonged elevated levels can be harmful, linked to issues such as weight gain, hypertension, insomnia, and adverse effects on cognitive function and the immune system. Cortisol production can be regulated through learning techniques that foster peace and tranquility.
The core issue lies not in screen use itself, but in excessive cortisol production due to stress, which is often misattributed to screens. This situation appears more closely related to a lack of self-control and healthy habits, like regular exercise and sufficient sleep.
3. The Use of “Screens” Causes Excess Dopamine.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that transmits signals in the brain and serves various important functions in the body. It is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system and is involved in multiple physiological processes and behaviors. Dopamine’s key functions include:
- Movement Regulation: It controls motor function and coordination.
- Reward and Pleasure: It is well known for its role in the brain's reward system, being released during pleasurable activities and reinforcing behaviors that yield satisfaction.
- Motivation: It drives us to act in pursuit of rewards and to achieve our goals.
- Attention and Learning: It plays a significant role in the learning process and in regulating attention, affecting our responses to new or relevant stimuli.
- Mood Regulation: It influences mood, with imbalances in dopamine levels linked to mood disorders like depression.
Due to its role in reward and pleasure, dopamine is a significant factor in addiction, as many substances and addictive behaviors increase dopamine levels in the brain, reinforcing this behavior.
The mere use of screens does not trigger the excessive production of dopamine; it is the type of content consumed and the uncontrolled pursuit of pleasure that leads to this. Dopamine production can be effectively regulated through effort and the achievement of goals, promoting a sense of controlled and healthy satisfaction.
4. The Impact of Screens on Vision
Screens from electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, and televisions, emit blue light, which is part of the visible light spectrum. This light is primarily produced by the backlighting technologies used in these screens.
Effects of Blue Light:
While blue light is naturally present in sunlight, prolonged exposure to artificial sources of blue light, especially at night, can negatively affect sleep and eye health. It interferes with the body's circadian rhythm and can lead to visual fatigue. For this reason, many electronic devices now come equipped with settings to reduce blue light emission, particularly during the hours before sleep.
5. The Influence of Screens on Prefrontal Lobe Development
The prefrontal lobe develops throughout childhood and adolescence, continuing into early adulthood. This region, located at the front of the cerebral hemispheres, is involved in several higher cognitive functions, such as decision-making, impulse control, planning, and reasoning.
Stages of Prefrontal Lobe Development:
- Childhood: During this stage, the brain undergoes rapid synaptic growth, forming numerous neural connections. The prefrontal lobe begins to develop foundational skills in attention, emotional regulation, and working memory.
- Early Childhood: The brain continues to strengthen neural connections, and the prefrontal lobe takes on a more significant role in behavior control, sustained attention, and basic problem-solving.
- Adolescence: This period is characterized by the pruning of less-utilized neural connections, enhancing information processing efficiency. The prefrontal lobe develops increased planning and organizational capabilities during this stage.
- Early Adulthood: The prefrontal lobe completes its development around this time. Executive functions, such as logical reasoning, long-term planning, and emotional regulation, are fully developed, allowing for better management of complex situations and more assertive decision-making.
The development of the prefrontal lobe is strengthened through learning, life experiences, and social interactions. While screens can enhance learning, the real issue lies in their uncontrolled use and the detrimental content that may hinder other developmental aspects.
Screens are valuable tools that provide significant benefits for everyone. “Everything you want to learn is available.” Therefore, it is crucial to educate children and young people on how to use these tools responsibly. The solution is not to eliminate screens, as doing so would deprive our children of valuable learning opportunities. Prohibition can lead to increased addiction and a lack of control in the future.
Education Involves Forming Habits.
Here are some suggested habits to guide screen usage:
Habit 1: Adherence to Rules
For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends zero screen time for children aged 0 to 2 years and 1 to 2 hours daily for those aged 3 years and older. It is advisable to avoid screen use during meals or in the bedroom.
Habit 2: Self-Discipline
Encouraging the willingness to do “what needs to be done” and developing it into a habit known as self-discipline. This allows individuals to choose appropriate moments and understand when to say, “no more.”
Habit 3: Cultivating Serenity
Create opportunities for children and young people to learn how to be peaceful and calm.
