Cause and Effect, or Just a Connection?
Can screen time cause ADHD? It’s safe to say that we all have concerns about screen time. We see our kids spending way too much time on their electronic devices and it seems as if they are consumed by it. We worry that technology may be harming their development, thinking, and general functioning. Parents worry that video games and technology may be decreasing their child’s ability to maintain attention to task over a long period of time, or possibly be worsening their child’s ADHD symptoms. So, is there actually a cause/effect relationship between screen time/technology/video games, and ADHD or worsening attention problems? Let’s take a look.
What Does the Research Have to Say?
There have been a number of studies on the connection between screen time and attention issues. One more recent study, with a large number of five-year-olds, seemed to show a connection between children who played video games for more than two hours a day and having a greater number of ADHD symptoms. This is not to suggest that the video games caused ADHD, or that the children ultimately met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Still, compared to children who played fewer video games, the other kiddos had more symptoms of greater intensity. In that respect, they were more distracted and impulsive.
Think of it This Way…
Let’s say you have two kids. One spends hours per day playing chess, and the other plays video games. The child playing chess has to attend and concentrate for a long period on a slow-moving endeavor that provides a limited amount of stimuli and feedback at any given time. The activity is ongoing, tedious, at times frustrating, and takes an extraordinary amount of persistence and concentration. The other child is spending hours playing video games that are highly stimulating, active, give tons of feedback every second, are fast-paced, and are very rewarding on a second-by-second basis.
Which child do you think, ultimately, is going to have better attention, concentration, perseverance, and frustration tolerance? Which child is going to be better prepared to complete boring or tedious homework, or sit through a long boring lecture in class? I suppose we could think of attention, concentration, perseverance, and frustration tolerance as a muscle that needs to be built up or a skill that needs to be developed. The more we practice, the better it gets, or the stronger it becomes.
Of course, attention, concentration, perseverance, and frustration tolerance can be built up in lots of different ways. Chores like gardening, homework, practicing a sport, and anything that requires sustained attention and is not bombarding us with stimuli and immediate reinforcement are great for this. It’s important to note that these more tedious and mundane activities can still be rewarding and fun. In fact, it can be quite rewarding to do a good job and see the fruits of one’s labor. However, clearly, these activities simply don’t have as much immediate reinforcement as video games or being on electronics.
We can make a similar case for tik-tock or YouTube Shorts which are also mind-numbing in that they provide immediate reinforcement for seconds and then move on to the next one – there is no need for sustained attention or concentration. Our children are inundated with this type of stimuli such that their "attention muscles" can become weak and ineffectual.
Other Symptoms of Too Much Screen Time
I know I’m largely preaching to the choir, but you parents also know the other ill effects of electronics. Countless times I’ve heard parents lament that kids who play video games for extended periods tend to be more agitated and easily set off. And of course, what happens when you try to remove the video games?
Are There Any Positives?
Are there any positives to electronics and video games? Well, we are living in what’s known as the “informational age”. Our children have at their fingertips an enormous amount of information. One can make a case that our kids are better informed, for better or worse, than any generation has ever been. Research has also shown that some video games are, in fact, somewhat slower-paced, require deep thought, planning, teamwork, creativity, and some degree of ingenuity. Minecraft comes to mind in that respect, and I imagine there are others. It is not uncommon that video games, across the board, require contemplation, planning, thinking ahead, and quick reflexes. We could argue these are important skills.
Is Too Much Screen Time the New Too Much TV?
Another perspective is this: think back to when we were kids (depending on how old you are). We were often playing outside, likely more than our kids do, but our ‘screen time’ was watching TV. That too is kinda mind-numbing and not entirely challenging to our intellect. In fact, one could say that video games are better than TV. With video games there is active participation, planning, and the aforementioned teamwork (when children play as a team).
Nevertheless, at least a movie requires sustained attention and is less stimulating. You also have to sit through the boring parts! As with everything, it’s a mixed bag. I think we can all agree that electronics in excess can be a problem and could contribute to any number of difficulties for our kids. Limiting the time allocated to electronics is the key.
Hope That Helps
I hope this post helps to clarify some of the dynamics relative to electronics and the pros and cons in that respect. If you’re struggling with your child’s distractibility and lack of perseverance, feel free to reach out at DrCarosso@aol.com. We are experienced in treating ADD/ADHD and other attention issues. God bless.
