Summary of Limit Screen Use in Children Under Six:
Children under six who frequently use mobile phone screens, tablets, or computers are more irritable and have worse attention, memory, and concentration than those who do not use them, according to a new book by leading neuropsychologist Dr. Álvaro Bilbao. Bilbao’s book, Understanding Your Child’s Brain, urges parents to introduce screens after children have emotionally and intellectually developed, ideally after age six, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. He asserts that parents should avoid or strictly ratio screen time to under sixes, as excessive use of devices can lead to psychological and behavioral issues, including attention deficit disorder, depression, and addiction problems.
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How Screen Time Affects Children Under 6: A Neuropsychologist’s Warning
Neuropsychologist Dr. Álvaro Bilbao warns parents that mobile phone screens, tablets, and computers can negatively impact children’s behavior and development. According to his research, children who frequently use these devices are more irritable and have worse attention, memory, and concentration. In his new book, “Understanding Your Child’s Brain,” Dr. Bilbao recommends strictly rationing or avoiding screen time for children under six to reduce the risk of psychological and behavioral issues, including attention deficit disorder, depression, and addiction problems.
Strictly Ration or Avoid Screen Time for Young Children, Says Neuropsychologist
Dr. Bilbao emphasizes that parents should gradually introduce screens once their children have emotionally and intellectually developed, ideally after age six, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation. He cites technology gurus Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, who stated in interviews that they limited their children’s screen use. Dr. Bilbao warns that apps can cause children to lose interest in developmentally beneficial activities and leaves the final chapter of his book, which covers the best apps for under-6s, entirely blank.
Healthy Child Brain Development Requires Nurturing Equivalent to an Oak Tree
Dr. Bilbao’s book uses basic neuroscience to explain how small children think, feel, and behave in the first years of life. He outlines four key sections for parents to promote healthy intellectual and emotional development: understanding child brain development’s fundamentals, necessary tools for supporting this growth, how to teach emotional intelligence, and how to strengthen the intelligent brain.
Dos and Don’ts for Supporting Child Brain Development
Dr. Bilbao’s dos and don’ts for parents include letting children get bored to encourage creativity, avoiding drama and shouting to set limits, using social rewards to reinforce rules, and not using “trick-punishments” that can cause a lonely child to learn that being scolded gets attention. He warns against extreme approaches to promote child development, such as “natural” education without rules, big pharma prescribing drugs for children prone to distraction, and unproven miracle programs to turn children into geniuses.
Conclusion
Dr. Bilbao’s research highlights the negative impact of screen use on young children’s behavior and development. Many parents encourage mobile phone and tablet use, but Dr. Bilbao advises strictly limiting or avoiding screen time for children under six to promote healthy intellectual and emotional development. Understanding the fundamentals of child brain development, providing necessary tools to support growth, teaching emotional intelligence, and strengthening the intelligent brain to ensure children’s healthy development is crucial.
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