Responsible use of mobile devices in children and adolescents. –

Children currently live with technologies (cell phones, video games, computers, televisions, tablets, etc.) even before they were born, so that they manage to become a natural, and very attractive, part of their environment. The mobile phone has become, in recent years, an essential element in the lives of adolescents and has also transformed the way they interact, says Dr. Harold Colino, a psychiatrist at the Medical Center.

Potential negative consequences such as medical problems (derived from a sedentary lifestyle such as obesity and lack of physical conditioning), risks to road safety and harassment are highlighted. Added to this are maladaptive behaviors, such as excessive use, which can affect feelings of personal safety, identity, and belonging to social groups.

It is aspects such as the relationship with others, poor academic performance and sleep disturbances, or issues such as prestige and identity, which worry users, but what seems to be the most alarming is exposure to bullying, especially since the appearance of instant messaging platforms. Some adolescents see social networks as the main form of social interaction, and their use means that a large part of their social life and emotional development occurs in this new relationship space. It cannot be forgotten that their self-regulation capacity is limited and that they are more vulnerable to peer pressure, so they are at risk while browsing and experimenting with social networks. This means that parents will have to face new risks inherent to the socialization of their children, says Dr. Juliana Díaz, a psychiatrist at the Institution.

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The development of new patterns of use for routine activities, or the maintenance of family and social relationships stand out as positive aspects of mobile phone use. Likewise, the positive attitude towards oneself that derives from relationships with friends and the ease of communication and even the use of the mobile as a device to combat boredom, can be examples of other positive consequences.

Families play a key role in developing a healthy use of technology by minors, and parents should improve their teaching skills in order to empower their children with autonomy and self-control, suggests Dr. Díaz.

How long is the recommended time for the use of mobile devices, according to the age of the child or adolescent?

The World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics establish that children can be given access to screens from the age of 2, as long as the devices have quality didactic and pedagogical material and parents and caregivers limit their maximum use to one hour per day. Adults should accompany their children to help them understand what they are seeing on the screen, thus promoting communication between them.

Both stationary and portable video game consoles should not be allowed for children before the age of 6. The WHO has associated the excessive amount of time that minors spend playing video games with sedentary lifestyle and overweight problems.

It is recommended that before the age of 9, children can access technologies in a closed environment, that is, technologies without an Internet connection, but with previously loaded content such as videos, images, texts, and audios. However, all such content must be age appropriate and fully reviewed by an adult.

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This strategy makes it possible to reduce the risks to which minors are exposed when they use technology. The time spent on screens between the ages of 5 and 12 can increase from 60 to 90 minutes a day, always with parental supervision.

Between the ages of 12 and 18, screen time should not exceed two hours. It must be taught to select the appropriate content for their age. If the minor’s activity when using mobile devices is guided by an adult, it is very likely that the negative effects on them will be reduced and, on the contrary, it will allow them access to all kinds of resources, in addition to developing their creativity and autonomy. staff, says Dr. Colino.

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