Adolescents in Europe should be shielded from the chaotic online world; a sovereign Europe should prioritize their safety.

Adolescents in Europe should be shielded from the chaotic online world; a sovereign Europe should prioritize their safety.

Sure thing! Here's a fresh take on the article:

Hey there! Remember when parents could let their kid ride in the "death seat" of their car or roam around school buildings without a care in the world? Oh, how times have changed. Today, we've got screens galore, and it's got folks questioning how our kids are turning out. Are we gonna look back in a few years with judgement in our eyes just like we do now with seatbelts, smoking in schools, and bullying?

These days, parents keep tabs on their kids like never before, yet they somehow accept that their little ones spend so much time staring at screens – up to 5 hours a day for kiddos aged 7 to 19! This screen-time obsession shapes young minds in some pretty scary ways: it messes with their intellectual growth, encourages compulsive social media browsing, fosters unrealistic beauty standards and exposure to violence and porn, and makes 'em easy prey for bullies, charlatans, and bigots.

It's evident that screens are a tag-team of nicotine and speed for the youth of today. Bruno Falissard, president of the French Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, couldn't put it any better when he lamented, "We've got solid data showing the damage, but nothing's happening... It's about kids' health, but no one seems to care."

Check out this article (For subscribers only) No screens before 6 years old is the recommendation from five scientific societies. They warn that kid's brains aren't designed to handle screens, and screens can cause lasting issues like permanent overexcitement, sleep disorders, vision problems, and intolerance to frustration.

For teens, social networks have 'em going cold-turkey on face-to-face interactions, breeding emotional disconnect, as if social development requires a running start but dashes in for nothing but a warm-up. American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explains that Anxious Generation in his book, calling social media addiction a "robbery" of social learning – the emotional bonding that's crucial for social development.

So, what gives? Swipe right for data on the long-term effects, and some tips to prevent the digital damage, all carefully vetted by the experts:

Long-Term Effects

1. Cognitive Issues: More screen time means shorter attention spans, weaker problem-solving skills, and difficulty multitasking[1][5]. It can also lead to subpar academic performance, especially in reading and writing[4].
2. Brain Structure Changes: Excessive screen time can lead to changes in brain structure, like thinner brain cortexes and reduced white matter growth[2][4], which affect reasoning, empathy, and social cognition.
3. Emotional and Mental Health: More screen time equals more anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues[2][3], disrupted emotional regulation, and weaker critical thinking skills[3].
4. Sleep Problems: Late-night screen use can mess up sleep patterns, leading to daytime concentration issues, and other health problems[4].

Preventive Measures

1. Time Limits: Establish screen-free zones and times like during meals or before bedtime.
2. Alternative Activities: Encourage exercise, hobbies, or social interactions to fill the time that would be spent on screens.
3. Monitor Usage: Have open conversations with kids about their screen use to help them recognize potential problems and encourage self-regulation.
4. Use Tech Wisely: Use parental controls and educational apps to ensure screen time is constructive rather than excessive.
5. Digital Literacy: Educate kids about the potential risks and the importance of a balanced lifestyle.

By taking these steps, you can help mitigate the negative effects of excessive screen time and foster healthier digital habits among our young ones. Or, you know, just keep 'em riding in the death seat, smoking in school, and bullying each other, and we'll see where that gets us in a few years. Thanks for sticking with me, pal!

1. Although adolescents spend an extensive amount of time staring at screens, up to 5 hours a day, science points out that screens can cause lasting issues like permanent overexcitement, sleep disorders, vision problems, and intolerance to frustration.
2. American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, in his book, describes social media addiction as a "robbery" of social learning, which is crucial for mental health and social development.
3. The French Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry President, Bruno Falissard, expresses concerns about the damage screens are inflicting on young minds, yet there seems to be a lack of care about the health and wellness of children.
4. To prevent the digital damage, experts recommend no screens before the age of 6, establishing screen-free zones and times, encouraging alternative activities, monitoring usage, using tech wisely, and educating children about digital literacy and the importance of a balanced lifestyle.
5. By implementing these preventive measures, we can promote healthier digital habits among our young ones, reducing the negative effects of excessive screen time and its impact on mental health and cognitive development.

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