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Research spanning 23 years of neuroimaging studies underscores the substantial and lasting influence of TV watching and gaming on children’s brain functions. While revealing negative effects, these studies also highlight certain positive impacts.
Despite these findings, researchers refrain from advocating strict limits on screen time, citing potential conflicts. Instead, they call upon policymakers to aid parents in navigating the digital landscape by promoting programs that foster positive brain development.
Specifically, the research pinpoints alterations in the brain’s pre-frontal cortex due to screen time, affecting executive functions like working memory, planning, and adaptive responses. Additionally, it identifies impacts on the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensory information, and the temporal lobe, crucial for memory, hearing, and language. The occipital lobe, essential for interpreting visual data, also shows effects.
Chair Professor Hui Li of The Education University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Education emphasizes the potential influence of digital experiences on children’s cognitive development. While limiting screen time is effective, Li suggests exploring innovative, user-friendly, and practical strategies instead. Policymakers, Li asserts, should offer appropriate guidance, involvement, and support for children’s digital engagement.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal Early Education and Development, the study analyzed 33 research works utilizing neuroimaging to gauge digital technology’s impact on children under 12, encompassing over 30,000 participants.
