“Early and prolonged exposure to screens interferes with brain development,” said Treitel in an interview with Ynet. “Zero ages at six years old, a child’s brain is extremely sensitive.
“The way he learns to deal with the world is through the sensory contribution – Touch, movement, sound, visual contact, facial expressions. The screens provide artificial stimulation that floods the brain and does not allow it to develop the ability to tolerate boredom or treat subtle clues. ”
According to Treitel, dopamine increases that children receive digital content modify the reward system in the brain. “Screens program the brain to search for fast and frequent rewards. Real learning does not work like that – it is often slow, cumulative and requires efforts. But when children get used to being instantly rewarded, they lose motivation for slower and more significant tasks. ”
She also underlined an increasing emotional gap in children raised on screens: “Children find it difficult to identify and treat emotions. When you don’t look someone in their eyes or read their facial expressions – because you look at a screen – you don’t develop empathy in the same way.
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Chava Treitel: early and prolonged exposure to screens interferes with the way the brain develops
(Photo: Avi Ikon))
Beyond the cognitive and emotional impacts, excessive screen time is wreaking havoc on physical health. “Today’s children are evolving less and it’s a real problem,” warned Treitel. “We see more cases of muscle weakness, delayed engine development, scoliosis and even food disorders in children and adolescents who spend hours on screens.”
Bad posture while lying on smartphones, combined with a lack of physical activity, contributes to a multitude of musculoskeletal problems. “The human body was not built to sit down and look down all day,” she said. “The movement is essential for healthy development – and not only for the body. The movement also regulates mood, supports learning and strengthens neural connections. ”
Treitel stressed that not all screens are created equal. “TV and digital media do not have the same effect. TV forces you to sit down through a relatively long story that you have not chosen, which requires attention and patience. Digital media, on the other hand, give you total control – you can jump, scroll and jump to the next thing.
The result, she said, is a significant reduction in our ability to concentrate for long periods. “And without sustained attention, we cannot engage in a deep reflection. It is a serious problem for learning and emotional regulation. ”
The digital era has also introduced a surprising new fear: boredom. “This is something that we did not see before the 2000s,” said Treitel. “In the past, children knew how to be entertained using imagination. Between two and seven years, it is a critical competence to develop, but today’s children often have the chance to practice it. ”
Even adults are affected. “When you used to do long training, you dreamed or think. Now we fill each gap with our phones. This change damages our ability to engage with our own thoughts and we depend on external stimulation. ”
“The effect of screens on sleep is enormous,” warned Treitel. “Studies systematically show that the use of screens before the bed reduces the quality of sleep, especially in adolescents. There are two main reasons: the blue light emitted by the screens interferes with the natural production of melatonin of the body, and the brain needs time before sleeping to treat the experiences of the day. If this process is ignored, people often wake up anxious or worried.”
It recommends fully prohibiting digital devices from the rooms, especially for adolescents – and cutting screen use at least two hours before bedtime.
How much screen time is too much?
Treitel offered age specific directives:
• AGES 0 to 2: Avoid the screen time entirely. If necessary, only with adult supervision.
• 3 to 6 years: limit to 60 to 90 minutes per day, with an adult present to help interpret content.
• Primary school: up to two hours a day.
• Adolescents and adults: no hard limit but pay particular attention to the type and at the time of the content.
She added that adolescents are particularly vulnerable to sleep problems induced by the screen. “Between 13 and 18 years old, the brain undergoes synaptic pruning – a critical process which occurs mainly during sleep. Excessive digital use during this period can interfere with this development. ”
Can damage be reversed?
“The good news is that the brain is adaptable,” said Treitel. “It is never too late to change your digital habits and see the improvement. But certain capacities – such as the regulation of attention and emotional resilience – have specific development windows.
“If these windows are flooded with screen time instead of a real commitment, the effects can appear later in life in a more difficult way to reverse.”
Treitel offered simple means to reduce dependence on the screen:
• Toddlers (under 2 years old): Bring small toys, books or sensory objects to places such as restaurants or waiting rooms instead of giving a screen.
• Children (up to 12 years old): establish family rituals without screen – such as meals or shared activities and keep phones out of rooms.
• Adolescents: Use the “Rule 1-2-3”: no phones in the room, stop the screen Use two hours before going to bed and engage in a daily activity of the parent child who strengthens self-esteem and identity.
“More importantly,” she added, “be the model. Children reflect the behavior of their parents. If they see you constantly on your phone, they will do the same. ”
Treitel also urges parents to open conversations on digital life. “Ask your children what they saw, where they were online and if they need help with anything. The digital world is there to stay, but we can – and we owe – a system of standards and protections that allow us to live in a healthier and more conscious way. ”
