Find out if your child may be experiencing anxiety due to excessive cell phone use. Learn how to treat it!
Cell phones are an essential item in our daily lives, helping us with many tasks. As they are becoming increasingly popular, it is almost impossible to find someone who does not have a smartphone, and this use has started at an increasingly early age, including among young children, who use the device to play and watch movies. The problem is that, even though they are a great ally in our busy routine, excessive use of cell phones can cause addiction, both in adults and in children and adolescents.
According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, excessive use of cell phones and other electronic devices by children can have negative effects on sleep and mood. It is also important to pay attention to the content that children have accessed on their cell phones, such as games or videos that are inappropriate for their age.
Learn more details about the subject and discover the main symptoms of anxiety caused by cell phone addiction in children.
Anxiety
The main anxious behaviors in children include: agitation, aggression, nail biting, tension, bedwetting, pain and other behavioral changes. In relation to adolescents, the content is also important, but there are other issues that are part of this universe.
As things happen very quickly on the internet, there is a fear of missing out, and this causes a need to stay connected or access social networks very frequently. causing anxiety. However, this is not the only symptom of excessive cell phone use.
According to the SBP, other problems may appear, such as: decreased or difficult interaction, changes in diet, decreased physical activity, problems with school performance, lack of attention and visual and hearing problems.
How to solve
If your child is not watching inappropriate content, you should analyze the amount of time they spend using their cell phone. If the cell phone is taking time away from other important and age-appropriate activities, it is ideal review this situation.
Children should have time to play, spend time with family and friends, exercise, sleep, and do other activities outside of the online world. These activities promote neuropsychomotor development and are associated with a healthier life for children.
According to the SBP, the recommended time for using cell phones and other devices in each age group is:
-Children under 2 years of age: use should be avoided, even if passively;
-Between 6 and 10 years: 1 to 2 hours per day, maximum, with supervision;
-Between 11 and 18 years old: limit time to 2 or 3 hours a day.
If your child is spending too much time on their cell phone or other electronic device and this is causing them anxiety, you can help them by:
Encourage other activities – playing sports, card games, learning to play an instrument, doing crafts and others.
Don't give your cell phone in moments of frustration – offer a hug, say you understand, help them think about how to get through the situation.
Don't give the cell phone as a reward – doing this kind of thing gives unnecessary attention to the cell phone, which can become increasingly important in children’s lives. Offer special moments.
Set an example – realize how much time you spend on your cell phone and set an example for your children, with moderate and healthy use.
