Is Technology Affecting Attention Spans of Children?
November 04, 2009
JUST KIDDING! I was just demonstrating A.D.D. in the last post...
A while ago, when I was talking to my beloved high
school calculus teacher, he brought up something I had never given much thought
to: the effects of technology on the attention spans of children. I then did
some research to see if there had been articles written on this subject. It is
not as popular a subject as I had predicted, but I found a good one in BBC News
written by Marc Settle called “Is Computer Use Changing Children?” that can be
found HERE.
This article, written a little over a year ago, is
about neuroscientist Baroness Greenfield and her belief that computer use is
affecting children’s brains. After ten years of research, Greenfield has
decided that there could be a correlation between children’s attention spans
and the growing use of computers. “The last ten years have seen a three-fold
increase in the prescription of the drug Ritalin, a drug used for Attention Deficit
Disorder,” said Greenfield. More and more kids are being diagnosed with A.D.D.
This may be due to the fact that children these days have so many electronics
designed for their entertainment that they are no longer growing up with the
knowledge of how to entertain themselves. Also, Greenfield suggests that children
may grow accustomed to the rapid responses of technologies and be more likely
to become impatient with slower processes.
I believe there is validity to Greenfield’s arguments. In fact, I myself provide a perfect example of her ideas. I started using a computer in sixth grade, at the tender age of eleven. Although this is not quite as young as children these days are starting to use computer games, video games, and other electronic entertainment, I was still young and my brain was still developing. I don’t have much trouble focusing if I am in a room without much distraction, but if there are distractions, it takes me longer to complete a task than it should take. My computer and my phone provide the most distraction. For example, throughout the process of writing this blog, I have visited a couple of websites (Facebook and YouTube) and I have also sent and received a couple of text messages on my phone. Do I have A.D.D. too?
Ha ha! Very funny. It is true that before computers and video games became so commonplace, parents were concerned that watching too much TV was having detrimental effects on their children, similar to the downfalls mentioned in the article now attributed to too much time in front of a computer. The concerns both then and now seem to mainly revolve around the idea that children may become accustomed to, and thus begin to expect, instant gratification, and that real life does not function as a series of instantly gratifying moments, thus insuring that the children will not be able to function well in real life.
Posted by deb on November 04, 2009 at 11:24 PM EST #
(continued b/c too long for a single post - clearly my attention span is not suffering...) I think there may be truth to these concerns, as development of skills for deep thinking and understanding requires quiet time spent reflecting and analyzing. However, I also believe that we can give our children the best of both worlds by simply controlling the time they spend engaged with electronic devices. Everyone needs “unplugged” time in order to stay healthy and to stay connected to real life, be it interacting with real people rather than on Facebook, or reading a real book instead of following various entities on Twitter. I say turn off the electronics, flush the pills, and go outside and PLAY!!!
Posted by deb on November 04, 2009 at 11:27 PM EST #
I agree with Deb. The computer use may be a symptom of the problem that too many parents and other caregivers today seem to feel that a child needs to be engaged in some adult-directed or controlled activity constantly. Computers and TVs can be ways to direct a child's activity. Kids don't learn to use their imagination and initiative to either play on their own or team with peers. When I was in pre-school, a lot of time was spent just playing on a big playground with lots of kids and little formal direction. I think today, too little time is spent like this. It's not only important for thinking an analyzing skills, but also for self-direction and teaming skills. These skills are really important as an adult, especially in a professional career where one needs to succeed to be able to afford that iPhone!
Posted by Steve on November 05, 2009 at 08:47 AM EST #
Not too much to add that hasn't been said. One observation that may be linked to ADD or ADHD or whatever...both with computer games and TV shows, the scene changes every few seconds. I read this blog the other night, then started timing how often the scene changed on the TV show I was watching. The longest camera shot lasted 5 seconds.
As for your last question, I doubt it. People have always sought distractions to allow time for ideas to percolate subconsciously. Thirty years ago, inhabitants of your room may have walked down the hall to see what others were up to. Now you do the same thing by electronic means. Not sure it's quite as effective...I believe the physical element is an important part of the process. But it's the same idea.
Posted by Jeff on November 06, 2009 at 08:26 AM EST #
Just read the article you linked to. This caught my eye: "The technology is creating an environment that is answer rich, but we're question poor."
George Carlin brought up a related idea in one of his HBO specials (when he was alive). He said kids don't get out and just do simple things like throw rocks or whack things with sticks. "Hmmm what would happen if I take this stick and swing it at these day lilies?" Or "what if I throw this rock at that window?" Kids used to go outside and play, and without some electronic entity directing everything, they came up with their own questions, the answers to which they discovered through trial and often times, error. Wasn't that another blog. Everything is related. Now I'm rambling.
Posted by Jeff on November 06, 2009 at 08:39 AM EST #
Just had to add, for a somewhat different point of view, look for the book or an excerpt or article about the book, "Everything Bad is Good for You" by Steven Johnson, who argues essentially that exposure to technology like TV and video games at younger ages actually raises IQ scores. I guess this is possible even if it causes problems with other things.
Posted by Steve on November 06, 2009 at 10:39 AM EST #
That book, "Everything Bad is Good for You," sounds interesting. I just read an article on it but I was not convinced. I guess I should read the book.
Posted by Molly on November 06, 2009 at 04:11 PM EST #
i agree with you!
Posted by ghd Hair Straighteners on November 07, 2009 at 12:03 AM EST #
Do you think adult onset ADD could be caused by exposure to too much technology.........or are my ADD symptoms from the frustration of having too many gadgets to try to master after a certain age - causing me to flit from one gadget to another due to the level of my frustration? Many times I wish I could have had the opportunity to experience today's technology when I was a child! I think technology affords one a much larger base of knowledge than I had growing up - even though I did have many opportunities for creativity, as well as quiet time for reading, thinking, reflecting, and analyzing.
Posted by Carol on November 08, 2009 at 05:02 PM EST #
Gram,
I think adult onset ADD is more likely to come from frustration over technology rather than exposure to too much technology. It affects children more because their brains are still in the process of developing.
I'm glad I have some of these technologies, like the Internet and my cell phone and iPod, but it is nice to get away from it all and have some peaceful quiet time with nature. That's one of the reasons I love to run in the woods- to stay connected with nature.
Posted by Molly on November 09, 2009 at 12:49 PM EST #