Experts in France Advocate for Age-Specific Screen Time Regulations
A groundbreaking French study recommends that children under 13 be restricted from smartphone use, and teenagers be kept off popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat until they reach 18. The report, a result of a three-month investigation led by prominent neurologist Servane Mouton and psychiatrist Amine Benyamina, emphasizes children’s vulnerability to the technology industry’s aggressive tactics to capture and monetize their attention.
The expert panel cautions against the psychological manipulation inherent in tech designs, comparing children to unwitting participants in a marketplace where their time and attention are commodities. They express a determination to confront the industry’s exploitative practices.
The recommendations extend to infants and very young children, advocating for zero screen exposure for under-threes and advising that phones and screens be absent in maternity wards to promote parent-infant bonding. They suggest a conservative approach to digital technology, with educational screen use only under supervision.
Advocating for ‘Ethical’ Social Media and Education on Healthy Habits
For teens, the panel supports access to what it terms “ethical” social media like Mastodon, while deferring the use of mainstream social media until adulthood. Furthermore, the report encourages better education for teenagers about the importance of adequate sleep.
Experts are not critical of parents, who are seen as caught in the tech industry’s pervasive web, but rather they argue for community and societal support structures to mitigate “techno-ference,” or the distractions caused by persistent device checking that disrupt parent-child interactions.
Broader Social Changes and Vigilance Against Digital Addiction
The report calls for societal shifts, including protected downtime for adults to disconnect from work and advocate for establishing screen-free zones in various social environments. The study emphasizes that mere parental control features are insufficient to safeguard children, calling for broader awareness of how social media algorithms can foster addictive behaviors.
Dr. Benyamina underscores the imperative for vigilance concerning these technologies, noting that they should serve humanity, not dominate it. He points out the multiple harmful effects on children’s development, encouraging individuals to remain alert to the potentially addictive nature of engaging online content.
Questions and Answers
What are the recommended age-specific screen time regulations according to the French study?
The French study advocates that children under 13 should be restricted from smartphone use, and teenagers should avoid popular social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat until they reach 18 years of age. For infants and very young children, they recommend zero screen exposure for those under three years old.
What are the key challenges or controversies associated with screen time regulations for children and teens?
One of the major challenges is the implementation and enforcement of these recommendations. With technology being so pervasive in modern society, it is difficult to prevent children and teens from being exposed to screens, whether at home, in educational settings, or public spaces. Controversies may arise regarding personal freedoms, parental rights, and the role of government in regulating technology use. Additionally, there may be pushback from the tech industry, which has a financial interest in maintaining user engagement across all age groups.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
– Protecting children and teens from psychological manipulation by technology companies.
– Promoting healthier lifestyle choices, like better sleep and real-world interactions.
– Reducing the risk of digital addiction and its associated negative developmental impacts.
– Encouraging parent-infant bonding without the distractions of digital devices.
Disadvantages:
– Possible social alienation for children and teens enforced off popular platforms.
– Difficulty in enforcement due to the ubiquity of digital devices and content.
– Restricting access to beneficial educational content and connectivity that screen time can offer.
To explore more about this debate, potential readers may visit legitimate articles from reputed sources. For instance, organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) offer guidelines and research on screen time and children’s health.
Please note: When visiting external sources, always ensure that you are reading up-to-date information and guidance relevant to your country and community, as regulations and societal norms surrounding technology use can vary greatly by region.
The source of the article is from the blog oinegro.com.br