Electronics-How Much is Too Much?

I read some staggering statistics in a survey result today. Staggering to me at least. Here are the stats:

Among the survey’s key findings:

• 42 percent of children under 8 years old have a TV in their bedroom.
• Half (52 percent) of all zero- to 8-year-olds have access to a new mobile device such as a smart phone, video iPod, or iPad/tablet.
• More than a third (38 percent) of children this age have used one of these devices, including 10 percent of zero-to 1-year-olds, 39 percent of 2- to 4-year-olds, and more than half (52 percent) of 5- to 8-year-olds.
• In a typical day, one in 10 zero- to 8-year-olds uses a smart phone, video iPod, iPad, or similar device to play games, watch videos, or use other apps. Those who do such activities spend an average of 43 minutes a day doing so.  (Source)

Am I the only one who finds these statistics bothersome? Read on: 

The following excerpt is taken from the book “Return to Eden: Exposing the Lies that Are Destroying the Family”, authored by MaryEllen Smith (C) 2007.  Amazon: Return to Eden 

Note: MaryEllen Smith is actually my birth name, so 'tis me who authored the book!

“Americans live an on-the-go lifestyle that many would say is normal. In this land of opportunity, there is seemingly no limit to the activities available for us to be involved in that consume the twenty-four hour day. Our insatiable appetites for more have driven the industry to develop technology and services that allow us to see, experience, eat, and accomplish more in a twenty-four hour day than ever before. 

We live in an instant society, which has caused our length of patience to wane over the years. We find waiting for two seconds for the Web page to load bothersome. We have become so dependent on having cell phones that we will no longer tolerate being in a “dead zone.” Shopping is done at chain grocery stores, with little desire on the part of the shopper to do anything but get in and out as quickly as possible. A person in front of the shopper in the express checkout immediately equates to an extra couple of minutes in the store and is barely tolerated. The average American is scheduled right to the minute and cannot afford the extra five minutes that the wait is costing them. 

If the only lasting value in life is the relationships that we have built, then it will never have been the wrong choice to choose to live more simplistically, allowing for more family time. Is it possible to have a family be involved in a plethora of activities and still stay connected? The answer lies in how the family functions. If the family does the activities together, and relates to one another throughout the activity, then yes, I believe it is possible. I don’t believe that it is easily achieved, and it requires determination to be fully present.

Recent data shows that it is the norm for many families to share space yet never connect. It is nearly impossible to go to a restaurant anymore without hearing other patrons chatting on their cell phones, while those they are with eat in silence. Parents or siblings attending a child’s sports event often bring a laptop to multitask and do unfinished work, and beach goers take routinely take their iPods or MP3 players and sit side by side with those accompanying them for a day of leisure. It’s true that they are in the same space at the same time, but each is preoccupied with his or her own interests, or is multitasking, rather than giving the needed attention to developing relationships with the ones that they are with. Call me old fashioned, but the rule in our house is that we are to be fully present when with someone, and that includes listening to each other and making eye contact.” Smith concludes.  (Smith, like I said, is my maiden name-so actually, I concluded the comments)

I can't say that my stance has changed in the past 4 years. Actually, with the technological advances, I see that things are getting worse, not better. I witnessed the 'family disconnect' just this fall, at the football field-where I was enthusiastically watching practices and games. Can't say the same of all parents there. I go to the mall and I see the same. And, gasp...I even witness kids using the devices at church. And no, they aren't reading the Bible on it. Some do. You can always tell who is and who is using the device for other purposes.

"Get with the times, Mel" I have often been told. "You're too old fashioned. This is the way it is, now." Oh really? I always think to myself-and sometimes say aloud...

I love statistics, research and the like. Well, here is some research that backs up reasons to stick to my old fashioned thinking....

"In a typical day, zero- to 1-year-olds spend more than twice as much time watching television and DVDs (53 minutes) as they do reading or being read to (23 minutes). And some young children have already begun media multitasking—23 percent of 5- to 8-year-olds use more than one medium “most” or “some” of the time."  YIKES


How about this excerpt from one of my favorite mommy e-zine sites. And no, it isn't plagiarizing, if I site the sources....
http://mommiesmagazine.com/13479/american-pediatric-association/  



"If you have very young children, under the age of four, spending too time in front of the television can be harmful for their developmental health. Although experts have in the past warned parents of the dangers, the American Pediatric Association issued a new warning this week. The New York Times reported on the story, stating: 


‘The new report strongly warns parents against putting a TV in a very young child’s room and advises them to be mindful of how much their own use of media is distracting from playtime. In some surveys between 40 and 60 percent of households report having a TV on for much of the day — which distracts both children and adults, research suggests.”


The APA had issued a previous warning in 1999 which was much more severe. The first warning recommended that parents ban television completely for young children, and that doctors record and monitor young children’s screen time. The latest warning is less drastic, and is an effort from the APA to be more realistic about the fact that screens in the 21st century are all but unavoidable.


Considering that young children learn much more quickly from interacting with people and objects in the physical world, too much television exposure can stunt their early learning. Of course, there are times when you may be too busy to constantly engage with your child, which makes having them view television an easy way to keep them entertained."



Another source,  which further confirms that I am not 'completely old school and needing to get up with the times'.

The kids in the study, average age 14-and-one-half, were all treated at the JFK Medical Center Sleep Laboratory in Edison, N.J. About 77 percent had trouble falling asleep; others had daytime sleepiness.
And it's no wonder: Turns out they sent an average 34 texts or e-mails a night, according to the study, to be presented Monday at the meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Vancouver, British Columbia. Texts were sent anywhere from 10 minutes to four hours after bedtime.

"Across the board, all of the children admitted to using electronic media - texting, computers, gaming - after lights out," says co-author Peter Polos, a physician at the JFK clinic.
Kids texted an average of four people a night. Electronic media woke them up once a night, when they were texted or called by a friend.  Young people who used the most bedtime media - from phones  to playing video games - were more likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression and learning problems during the day.

Well, that pretty much convinces me that my old fashioned thinking is O.K.  Am I saying that all electronic usage is bad? No!  The word that comes to mind is balance. Using technology in limited quantities, in doses appropriate for the age is OK. Using electronics to keep children occupied, thereby 'babysitting' the kid....may seem like a good idea in the short term. In reality, the long term detrimental impact makes the short term benefits pale in comparison. In addition to being disconnected from the family, teens overusing cell phones and other devices are dealing with a host of issues.


Balance.