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THE IPAD ADDICTS (AGED 4) ; INVESTIGATION: OUR TECH DILEMMAFuture mental health issues a real dangerChild referred to psychiatrist [Eire Region] [Sunday Mirror (England)](Sunday Mirror (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) PARENTS who allow young children access to their smartphones and iPads could be sentencing them to a life of addiction, experts have warned. There was shock recently among digital-friendly parents when it emerged a four-year-old child in the UK is receiving psychiatric treatment for addiction to tablet computers. However, the out-of-control obsession with iPads and smartphones is not just confined to Britain, it is also rampant among kids in Ireland. And children are picking up the habit from their parents who are sometimes spending more time online than communicating with their kids. Psychologist Owen Connolly told the Irish Sunday Mirror: "It is a very serious problem in Ireland. "And we don't really know what the long-term outcome for children being exposed to these fast-moving devices will be." His fear is that using hi-tech gadgets from a young age will stunt children's social development and their ability to interact as well as make them demand instant gratification. He said: "My concern is that it will impact on impulse control, their ability to be able to wait for something to happen. I'm not looking to ban children from using these smartphones or iPads altogether but really about nine years of age is time enough to start and the time they are allowed on it has to be controlled." His comments come as it emerged Irish homes now have an average of four devices connected to the net. In the past six months tablet ownership has doubled in Ireland with a recent Eircom survey forecasting that 1.2million homes will have one by the end of this year. Rather than the traditional doll and pram or bike at Christmas, many preschool kids are being given tablet computers from Santa instead. However, as the case in the UK has proven, parents are taking a huge risk with their children's development. According to her psychiatrist Dr Richard Graham, the four-year-British girl became so hooked on the iPad that she started displaying obsessive compulsive disorder. The child was on it for up to four hours a day and when it was taken from her she threw a tantrum. He said: "The child's mother told me she had developed an obsession with the device and would ask for it constantly. She would become very distressed and inconsolable when it was taken away." She is now is being treated at London's Capio Nightingale Clinic. Dr Graham warned: "Children have access to the internet almost from birth now. They see their parents playing on their mobile devices and they want to play too. "I think advice on internet use should be part of antenatal classes." Dr Graham's advice to parents is not to leave their iPad lying around. He said: "If you do, and the children see all the pretty colours, they will want to use it too. It's difficult because having a device can also be very useful in terms of having a reward, having a pacifier. "But if you don't get the balance right it can be very dangerous. "They can't cope and become addicted, reacting with tantrums and uncontrollable behaviour when they are taken away." Sadly, according to phychologist Owen Connolly, many stressed- out parents are using their technological gadgets to entertain their kids instead of spending vital time with them. He said: "I have every sympathy for parents who have no choice but to go out to work but what is happening is that we have working mums and dads who are picking kids up from creches and then hurrying home to make a meal and their interaction with their children is minimal. They are giving them these computer gadgets to keep them occupied and the children are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. "I see it distancing the communication between BIG parents and children which is very important. "Putting a kid in control and what time they spend on the gadget is not good, it has to be restricted. The first released since sold million and tablet "Parents can teach impulse control by saying they can use it for a half an hour when they tidy their room or do something else." The psychologist pointed out that the repercussions are already being felt in the classrooms around the country. He said: "Teachers are going crazy because they can't get kids to pay attention. They get bored very quickly and want everything to happen instantly because of the games they are playing. "In homes, kids are going to their rooms, putting on the laptop and going on Facebook or playing games, they don't want to socialise with their own families. APPLE iPad was 2010. It has over 300 worldwide the market "Anything that stores up and produces dopamine, the feel good chemical in the brain can be very addictive. "I know we live in a technological world and our kids have to be well equipped but we also need people in the future who are able to communicate and able to empathise with other human beings." big apple The first iPad was released in 2010. It has since sold over 300 million units worldwide and dominates the tablet market CASE STUDY Not yet 3 & already an expert SUSAN is astonished at her young nephew's dependency on his parents' iPad. The child has been using the device since he was just two years old and throws a tantrum when it is taken from him. Susan told the Irish Sunday Mirror: "He'll be three in August and already he knows his way around it like an adult. "It was given to him initially to amuse him in the car, but now he wants it all the time. And he hates when you take it away from him. "I wouldn't say he's addicted at this stage but he gets very annoyed when he can't have it or the battery runs out. "He knows how to switch it on and go into the apps that he likes. He'd rather play on it than talk to us. He was given a toy computer but he was having none of it because it wasn't the real thing." She said although the family laugh at her nephew being something of a tech whizzkid she does have some concerns. Susan added: "The worry is that as he gets older he will spend more and more time on it which could impact on his interaction with others." (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |