Similar results were shown by studies of the Turkish University of Bahcesehir. It was attended by refugee children from Syria who actively played video games. It turned out that they have higher abilities to learn foreign languages and programming.
But the same researchers determined that video games caused addiction in children. The impact of game content on the areas of the brain that regulate pleasure turned out to be disastrous.
Do smartphones affect teenage depression?
In 2017, the Pew Research Center published information that 13% of adolescents in the United States were diagnosed with depression. Most of them are girls. At the same time, the number of suicide cases has doubled (compared to 2007's data).
People born after 1995 cannot imagine a world without mobile phones. They say the following about these generations: "They grow up with gadgets in their hands." Scientists believe that this is what affects the psychoemotional state of adolescents.
Gene M. Twenge, Professor of Psychology at the University of San Diego, believes that the more time teenagers spend with gadgets, the more often they complain of depressive states. Moreover, ethnic, social and economic status does not play a role. Teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social networks are 35% more likely to commit suicide. At the same time, children with habits and hobbies who spend time with family and friends are out of the risk group.
In addition, dependence on gadgets reduces the quality of sleep. And healthy sleep is necessary for the emerging adolescent psyche. Lack of sleep and overload with information from the Internet are reinforced by other risk factors: bullying, trolling, sexual harassment. This is enough to push a teenager to rash actions.
Constant monitoring of screen time is a parental area of responsibility in the modern world. Without this, you will face problems: the child's isolation, aggression, lack of sleep, a tendency to self-torture, harmful habits. If this has already happened, do not let the matter take its course, contact a psychotherapist.
How to avoid risks?
The ideal option is a child under supervision 24/7. But, of course, this is impossible. Modern parents spend 10-12 hours at work, and at home, they are not averse to spending time with gadgets. The European Academy of Pediatrics offers solutions to the problem:
• Ban any gadgets for children under four years old;
• Control the content that children consume and block unwanted information in a timely manner. Blocking content is not related to interference with personal space. This is child protection;
• watch your favorite programs or movies together, and then discuss what you saw. Teach a child to be critical of information;
• safe screen time of the apps for children under 12 years — no more than 60 minutes per day;
• there should be no TV or computer in the child's room;
• eating without gadgets. Family gatherings at the table: socializing time;
• it is necessary to encourage any motor activity, including by example;
• the child's regime is the holy of holies. It should be strictly observed. It is important that two hours before bedtime, the child should stop watching TV and put down the smartphone;
• a personal example is the best model of behavior. It is stronger than any instructions.
Parental control for children: modern possibilities
Many parents do not have the ability to effectively control their children. In this case, the "Parental Control Kroha" app will help you. The easy-to-install and configure program will help you to know where the child is, as well as track and manage the child's screen time.
Using satellite navigation data via the GPS module in the smartphone, the application accurately reports the location of the child. To do this, you need to install the Kroha app on the child's gadget and the parent device.
The ability to find out where your child is not the only advantage of the app. Thus, the geofence setting is available in the Kroha. If the child leaves it, the parents will immediately receive a message about it. Information about any movements is available online.
The function of viewing photos that the child has taken, downloaded or received on his smartphone is also available. It is possible to block unwanted applications or limit the time of using programs. You can manage the phone book, view the call log and SMS correspondence, messages in 11 popular messengers. This is a full-fledged family monitoring.
The Khroha app also has detailed statistics on the use of children's gadget. You will be able to determine what children are doing and what they are interested in. The web monitoring function will show all the websites that the child visits. You can set up a secure Google search, block unwanted websites, apps, and even YouTube channels.
You can view the statistics of gadget usage: including the amount of memory, traffic consumption, battery charge, chronology of actions. The parents can lock the gadget for a certain time or until they wish to unlock it themselves.
You have maximum family access in your hands, and the child has no way to get rid of control. The child will not be able to delete the Kroha app. Parental control is available for free for five days after installation. Then, you need to pay a small amount. After purchasing a license, the program can be installed simultaneously on five gadgets. That is, this solution is suitable for large families. You can learn more about the application's features and download it on the website just type Parental Control Kroha in google.
No offense: how to explain to a child the need to install the application
If there are usually no problems with a younger pupil, then it is difficult to explain to a teenager the need for parental control. But in any case, the parents need to argue their decision.
A child of 7-11 years old needs to be explained that a children's regime is necessary for the health of vision and for general safety. It is worth discussing the app's functions and showing how it works. Drawing up a schedule will help: so that the child clearly understands when he or she can use the phone.
A teenager has more freedom, so the conversation needs to be conducted differently. We need to touch on the topic of network security. Psychologist Galina Prutkovskaya advises telling a teenager what information may be encountered on the Internet, what data can and cannot be shared, and explain what bullying and trolling are.
In conversation, it is important to emphasize that you respect the teenager's personal space. However, there are risks that only an adult can determine. Give examples from life, convincing facts. The installation of the Kroha app should be carried out by mutual agreement. Never break the trust between you and the child. But at the same time, do not forget that the child's safety is your concern.
