Why don't we get it as a society?!
Media Overload Bad For Kids (CBS Segment is 4 years old)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnD3KKdv_P4
Katie Couric's Notebook: Babies And TV (CBS News) (5 years old)
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Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
One hour a day of TV when I was a kid. If there was a movie, we could watch for two. Otherwise, one.
NO OTHER SCREEN TIME--because there WEREN'T any other screens in existence. No computers, no phones. (Phones were plastic and metal things attached to walls, and computers took up a city block-sized building on a university campus somewhere.) I rode my bike, played basketball and kickball and softball, and built stuff and chopped stuff up and dug stuff and rearranged stuff and hung a tire up from the tree and spun around on it until I was sick and then rode my bike some more. And after dinner we sat in the living room and played board games.
I am a recovering computer game and gambling addict. My recovery birthday: On May 6, 2012 I quit games and began working a program of recovery through OLGA No computer games or slot games for me since December 12, 2012. No solitaire games with real cards since June 2013.
I think we grew up on the same block Dan!
It is a very fast paced, stimuli overload, instant reward kind of world now. Just yesterday at lunch, a group of us were talking about what you just shared...how we jumped double-dutch, played handball, rode our bikes, roller skated until we were exhausted, came inside when dinner was ready, did our homework and went to bed exhausted. A few kids overheard our conversation, incredulously looked up from their phones. It's a very different world.
"Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation." taken from Papyrus, Corp.
I was allowed half an hour ...I let my kids do 1 hour. 1/2 hour was as there was nothing more for kids..Now there is baby TV, toddler TV , kids channel, broadast 24/7.
I sometimes feel ashamed my daughter of 4, cannot play video games on a tablet, as we do not have one. But she ca make puzzles of 60 pieces or draw..or make plastic mozaic pictures. or walk to the supermarket 2 km down the road. or swim a hour at the lessons..and pays attention at school ....
I am happy I an give a good example. I would only work on a PC when the kids are around on my special table so they know I am working...
I think because many parents are overloaded as well, they start to believe its good for their children. Other children are allowed to wath in the weekend in the morning, as then the parents can sleep longer. At my age I had an wax album(LP) of fairytales I listened to. My daughters do trampoline jumpib on the bed..or cuddle in between...and dont let us sleep :D... but yep I never sleep longer then 0700... even not on Sunday ..what is good for stability.(day/night rythm)
pre- diagnosed with Autism.
I agree. I was brought up to watch TV one hour each night during week, and possible 2 hours on the weekend, and this was watching with family (our favorite programs: Alfred Hitchcock hour, Twilight Zone, etc., Ed Sullivan Show, Jack Benny)...yes I'm old.
My step son doesn't allow his family much TV time watching either; they are busy with music and hiking.
Unfortunately, their dad, my husband is an avowed addicted TV watcher and can spend an entire weekend watching PBS.
Before I found games I didn't watch tv all that much, other than a movie at night with my husband (and he's insisted we watch tv together at night for one movie since we were married).
There's got to be a new revolution of parents out there who realize what media overload is doing to us all.
Hugs to all.
Similar to kids who develop lazy eye permanently from visual deprivation, I fear kids with media overload at a young age develop a lazy brain syndrome permanently from sensory deprivation.
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
Lazy Brain?
At first this didn't make any real sense to me, but I googled it and read through several articles written about this occurance and found it to be fascinating. Thank you for sharing this!
In particular I found that "lazy brain' can also be treated as ADD is.
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
Scarying isn't it?! In 1970s ZERO percent of kids were on psychotropic medications.
Today, over 15% are taking psychotropic medications, with most for ADD!
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
There's not much research on "lazy brain syndrome". Here is a peer-reviewed research article that supports my theory and understanding as a gamer, doctor, and neuro-scientist.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9241465
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and frontal-motor cortex disconnection.Niedermeyer E, Naidu SB.Source
John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a very common pediatric-neuropsychiatric entity of still unknown etiology, and is thus a topic of controversy. A neurological concept is presented in order to attain a better conceptualization of ADHD. This concept focuses on the frontal lobe as the inhibitor of excessive motor activity. This inhibitory function is presumed to be most active during childhood. The concept of a disturbed frontal-motor cortex connection was first developed in view of a completely different and rare disorder of childhood: Rett Syndrome (RS) with smallness of the frontal lobe, excessive motor activity and EEG abnormalities often confined to the Rolandic region. Accordingly, what is due to structural damage in RS, might be caused by simple dysfunction in ADHD under essential ly benign circumstances. Not a damaged but a "lazy" frontal lobe results in disinhibited motor activity and also in disturbed attention ( a predominantly frontal lobe function). In the light of this concept, the calming effect of methylphenidate in ADHD is quite logical (frontal stimulation improving motor inhibition) and not paradoxical. It is the "lazy" frontal lobe that responds to "the whip" whereas a truly sick frontal lobe as in RS would be unable to respond.
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
Here is another peer-reviewed research article.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11202137
Clin Electroencephalogr. 2001 Jan;32(1):20-3.Frontal lobe disinhibition, Rett syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Niedermeyer E.Source
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
Motor cortex hyperexcitability in Rett Syndrome (RS) has been ascribed to the failure of an inhibiting system arising from the frontal lobes, a system needed in childhood and early adolescence. It is also presumed that, on a virtually dysfunctional (nonstructural) basis, motor cortex hyperexcitability in ADHD is also due to insufficient frontal lobe inhibition ("lazy frontal lobe"). A series of schematic illustrations is added for the sake of easier comprehension of the presented concept.
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
These are both informational, albeit highly medically detailed, (with terminology I am not familiar with) about ADHD. Helpful, but they don't put the spotlight on the research that I, as just a regular fellow with a BFA (Fine Arts) found easily on the web and that do not involve psychotropic medication.
What I learned is that regular excercise is a big factor. And doing puzzles helps. Taking daily vitamins, esp B-12, & drinking coffee (may encourage ADHD) work well. Also taking a concentration in some personal Life interests.
Now this sounds like a do-able, non medication, alternative for treating ADD. Nothing scary here folks. I'm even going to make a point of putting my research to a test by beginning regular excercise, taking a daily Vitamin that includes B-12 & try my hand at constructing some puzzles. I do not drink coffee as a rule, except at NA meetings, but I have a coffee maker, so that may be an option for me, as I associate with the symptomology of Lazy Brain. I will also make a concerned effort to start drawing again (after six years absence).
Edit: (I realized this afternoon its been EIGHT years since I drew!)
Oh, and as we are talking about brains here, I also possess an "Addict Brain".
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
These articles say that ADHD is related to low brain activity. This is why stimulants help patients with ADHD feel better.
People with ADHD can do other natural things (unfortunately video games too) to stimulant the mind.
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
Oh! Do you personally know of what other natural things there are to do? I'd be happy to read more or see more homeopathic remedies.
And will you explain to me what the difference is between ADD & ADHD? Thank you.
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
You can read more about ADD and ADHD here:
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default.htm
http://www.diffen.com/difference/ADD_vs_ADHD
You will find more information on how to deal with ADHD here (I know Kevin Roberts and he is good):
http://kevinjroberts.net/adhd/
http://kevinjroberts.net/archives/
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
I totally agree with that.
I am concerned about the amount of screen time my two year old gets.
We often have Barney or a Veggie Tales on when we're making dinner. He usually is playing with toys at the same time, but still... it's noise. Silence is so necessary for SO many reasons!
I recently asked my class of 18 about TVs in their bedrooms... Only 4 of my students do not have TVs in their bedrooms.
Most of them are very familiar with the mechanics of using a PC, iPad, iPhones. In fact last year we had a poetry night and I had to ask the parents to please put their cell phones away because over half of my students were playing on them.
I also very much agree with the "lazy brain" syndrome.
-6 Years Free of Online Gaming-