Gen Z is the generation that has easy access to gadgets, especially mobile phones, and the internet. Well, this technology comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. But do you know that scrolling reels may harm your child?
The new research shows that the new generation is spending an average of 2 to 3 hours daily just to scroll reels and short videos.
Shorts and reels have an algorithm that makes you engage for a long time. Children also love to consume this type of content as it comes in a short hardly 30 to 60 seconds and the next reel is ready to go.
As it is entertaining and engaging for all age groups children consume it for a long hour without being aware of time.
And of course, we also think, “Ohh, it’s just a 30-second reel let me scroll some more reel.” And we get trapped in it, then after we spend, waste our time without having a sense of time.
Our children also get into this trap and it becomes a toxic habit after some time.
I’m not against the usage of social media or scrolling screens but the way our children get addicted to it is worrying.
Here I’ll show you how it will affect a child’s development and mental health.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAYS
A famous psychiatrist says, “Short videos are severely impacting children and youngsters. Their concentration span has decreased, irritability has increased and their awareness of the immediate or surrounding environment has decreased.
At the same time, their empathy (understanding feelings for others) is also decreasing.
With the attention span decreasing, their academic performance is also affected adversely.
Other research said that from negative emotional effects to disrupted social lives, impaired concentration, compromised academic performance, and sleep deprivation, all are the adverse effects of short videos that impact students (children) badly.
As educators, parents, and society, it’s crucial to spread awareness and teach our children to balance digital engagement and well-being.
Lack of Physical Activity
Recent research shows that they consume this short form of video for an average of 2 to 3 hours, which means they are physically inactive during these hours.
After consuming lots of reels their mind gets foggy and they do not have enough energy to go outside and play. In the long run, they lost their habit of playing outside with friends.
Lack of physical activity invites other physical problems that make them vulnerable.
Lack of concentration
Reels are short formats of video, just because it is entertaining and addicted children scrolling it continuously.
The research shows that many times children do not remember what they had watched on it.
As the child is scrolling the screen their unconscious mind does not pay attention to it and eventually, they lose the concentration power.
Concentration is the most powerful skill a one has to have which helps them in every aspect of their life.
Just because their mind gets commanded continuously to switch from one thing to another, it impacts their study.
For them, studying seems boring and time-consuming. The habit of continuously watching reels and shorts also may affect their academic growth as they are not able to concentrate on their study.
They are always distracted while studying and lose the ability to focus on the subject. Their creativity is being blocked.
Memory power affected
As the children consume the content for long hours their mind gets tired of visual bombarding.
Now, the mind loses the energy after watching the reels for hours and hours. the mind has no energy to consume other things like studying or playing. It almost loses creativity as the mind is getting stuck with the screen.
And at the end of the result, their memory power gets affected. This will also affect their academic growth and personality growth because many times they are watching videos that would not give them any kind of knowledge or entertainment.
Sleeping pattern changed
The new generation especially Gen Z who are at a young age facing a new problem, lack of sleep. No matter how they are tired or how their mind gets tired the young children are facing a lack of sleep.
This will happen because they are watching the reels and shorts for long hours and their unconscious mind collects that information.
This bombarding of data creates chaos in their mind and in the end when they try to sleep or relax their mind do not allow them to relax anymore.
There are lots and lots of stuff chocking in their mind and affect their sleep.
Even when they are sleeping their unconscious mind does not take rest and that will cause restless sleep or disturbing sleep. Their sleep pattern also changes day by day and can’t maintain their body clock.
Lack of sleep and lack of energy after long hours of sleep are the symptoms that may be seen in children.
Unappropriated content to age
Social media is flooded with many kinds of content and that all are may not appropriate for all age groups. We do not have control over it, we do not know when and which video may come next on the screen.
And the most concerning thing is the impact of that content on our child. It may be harmful to their developing mind as these all things can create bad impressions and beliefs in their mind.
All the content spread on the internet is not authenticated and children have no idea what to believe and not.
Scrolling reels may affect their Mental Health
When children scroll reels their brains release dopamine, a hormone that gives them feelings of pleasure, and satisfaction.
It plays a pivotal role in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, and other body functions.
The continued dopamine hits can lead to many mental illnesses. Having too much dopamine can affect their behavior.
Children getting aggressive and having trouble with emotional regulations. The imbalanced dopamine is also linked to ADHD and depression. It is also shown that a heavy dose of dopamine leads a person to schizophrenia and psychosis.
Now, scrolling reels not only affect their present but also their future. When it is time to focus on their learning, developing different skills, and exploring the world, children are wasting their time scrolling the reel.
Things to be Remember for Parents
This is a digital era and children are much more smarter than before. We understand that to keep them away is hard for parents for any reason.
Here are some points that may help you.
Be aware while giving them a screen, and if possible, take control of the time spent on the screen.
For toddlers, it is a big no for social media as it will affect their cognitive development. It is also not good for their physical health and mental health.
If the mobile is given to a very young child, please make sure it is under your observation. Try to not give them mobile to scroll reels as it has the worst impact on their mind.
Take care of what they are watching and where they are engaging. Try to give them specific long content that is informative and educational in a fun way.
Thank you for reading my article. I hope that you will like it and it gives you value. Parenting is a really beautiful journey and we always try to help you in every possible way.
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Thank you for sharing the information. It is really helpful for me