Excessive screen time may shorten children’s lives, expert warns
Excessive use of smartphones and other screen devices could lead to shorter lifespans for children, according to a Polish sociologist.
Pixabay LicenseImage by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
Mariusz Zbigniew Jędrzejko, an educator and sociologist at the Piotrków Academy, a private university in central Poland, urged parents and policymakers to act: “If you love your children, you must reverse this negative trend.”
Jędrzejko is among the signatories of a petition calling on Poland’s Ministry of Education to establish standardized digital hygiene guidelines.
The proposal seeks to ban the use of smartphones and other personal digital devices by children in nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools.
Jędrzejko said in an interview with Poland’s PAP news agency that the human brain develops in distinct stages, with the first three years being particularly sensitive.
During this time, the brain cannot process large amounts of information or visual stimuli. Introducing screen devices too early, he argued, disrupts natural brain development.
„Children under three should not interact with screen devices because their brains are not yet capable of processing the rapid flow of images and information,” he said, adding that early exposure can overstimulate the brain’s reward system.
This overstimulation, often triggered by blue light and dopamine-related mechanisms, can lead to a dependency on digital devices.
To illustrate the impact, Jędrzejko shared the case of a four-year-old patient who could not eat or sleep without watching cartoons on a smartphone.
Breaking the habit required days of emotional turmoil for the child, highlighting the depth of the dependency.
One of the most alarming consequences of screen overuse, Jędrzejko noted, is sleep deprivation.
Children under 14 need 10 to 11 hours of sleep, particularly between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., for healthy physical and cognitive development. Yet many children sacrifice sleep for screen time, impairing their ability to consolidate learning and regulate emotions.
Prolonged exposure to screens may also damage the brain’s gray matter, which is crucial for processing signals, memory and reasoning.
Jędrzejko likened such overburdening to attempting to drive up a mountain with a dilapidated old car, and compared the effects to those of substance abuse, noting that overstimulated brains show reduced capacity for abstract thinking and problem-solving.
„In patients who are heavily overstimulated by screen devices, I observe behaviors similar to those of drug addicts and alcoholics—subconscious actions driven not by rationality but by strong impulses such as 'I need this’ or 'I must do this,'” he said. „This happens because the brain’s gray matter becomes 'blocked,’ effectively 'cementing’ the parts responsible for reason and critical thinking.”
Jędrzejko placed responsibility on adults, saying that parents often substitute digital access for meaningful engagement.
„We’ve mistaken technological prosperity for well-being,” he said, adding that gifting a smartphone for a child’s First Communion or birthday, as well-meant as it may be, is often premature.
He also stressed the need for systemic solutions, calling on Poland’s Ministry of Education to create and enforce clear guidelines. While digital tools can enhance education, their use in schools should be carefully regulated and aligned with developmental needs, according to Jędrzejko.
He pointed to international examples, such as restrictions in Australia, Finland and parts of Germany, and noted that even tech leaders such as China limit screen time for children.
He criticized Polish authorities for a lack of decisive action, despite growing evidence of harm.
Poland’s Ministry of Education has said that it is analyzing the issue, but Jędrzejko expressed skepticism, saying ministry experts often lack hands-on experience in addressing digital-related disorders.
„We are ready to help,” he declared.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
