Last week a study was published to the Journal of the American Medicine Association lead by a preventative medicine professor, Adam Leventhal of the University of Southern California. In this two-year study, a team of researchers provided a survey to 10th graders in various high schools totaling over 2,800 students to correlate the amount of technology use (time spent on smart phones, computers, TV, etc.) and traditional symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Currently in its early stages, the purpose of the study is to identify the long-term effects of ADHD in modern media environment.
Modern technology has created a focus on instant gratification. In a matter of an hour, we can scroll through hundreds of pictures and short videos. Smartphones and tablets are constantly sending notifications for texts, Facebook notifications, Candy Crush reminders, phone calls, Emails. What are the chances that you will completely stop your current task just to check that notification for a quick second? That “ding” or hearing/feeling your phone vibrate triggers an sense of urgency and you are compelled to check it right then and there. In the developing mind of our children and teens, this is creating habits of distraction and inability to focus – two signs of ADHD.
We cannot blame technology for causing ADHD, but merely, creating habits that are associated with ADHD. Children with a clear diagnosis of ADHD was not able to participate in the study conducted by Leventhal – for good reason. No matter how much “screen time” they get, they will exhibit signs of ADHD. In this study, children who had the most screen time exhibited the most signs of being easily distracted, unable to focus, troubles concentrating, and impatience.
What the world wide web, social media, and interactive games can provide can also be very beneficial! There are excellent teaching tools and resources that we all can utilize to personally learn from and grow! Moderation, discipline, and control are very important as with many things in life.
Read more and find more resources regarding this study in the link below!
https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/17/17581486/adhd-digital-media-technology-teens