Woman sitting in corner, looking like she has brain fog

Digital Dementia and 7 Tips to Avoid It

bedroom brain children emf parents technology Aug 09, 2017
 

I first heard of digital dementia years ago when researching electromagnetic fields (EMFs) for my book A to Z of D-Toxing. It immediately resonated with me because I was becoming more aware of how my excessive screen time was affecting my brain functioning! To learn that digital dementia is more common in South Korea because its culture involves more digital exposures than others was a good story to promote so that we may learn from their experience.

Below is a really interesting, and important, report from my editorial team. Please let me know what you think!

—SRG

 

***

Is digital dementia affecting you or your family?

The overuse of electronics at a young age is a rising concern for many doctors around the world. The demand for anything digital is at an all-time high and it's leading to a surge in what some people are calling "digital dementia."

In this article, we'll help you understand the facts about digital dementia (or electronic dementia as others call it), and share research on the effects of digital devices on children. We'll also provide seven useful tips to help avoid it.

What is digital dementia?

Digital dementia is characterized as the deterioration of brain function as a result of the overuse of digital technology, such as computers, smartphones, and Internet use in general. This excessive use of technology leads to unbalanced brain development, as heavy users are more likely to overdevelop their left brains, leaving their right brains underdeveloped.

With electronic technology in almost every household today, this new kind of electrical dementia is on the rise and hitting our youth at an alarming rate.

The term ‘digital dementia’ originated in South Korea a few years ago, a country that has one of the largest digital-using populations in the world. South Korean doctors noticed young patients experiencing cognitive and memory problems after heavy use of digital devices. They also found the symptoms to be more common in people who had sustained previous brain injuries.

With the advent of computers, young people are less reliant on their brains. Intelligent computers can now do most of the thinking for them, which is leaving many young brains almost redundant. There's also the worry that overuse of technology is causing short attention spans.

Research about digital dementia

Dr. Manfred Spitzer, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist, wrote a book in 2012 named “Digital Dementia: What We And Our Children Are Doing To Our Minds.” He is a vocal advocate against training kids with computers and electronic media. In his book, he states:

“When you use the computer, you outsource your mental activity”

and

“The more you train kids with computer games, the more attention deficit you get.”

His research shows that between 15 and 18 should be the minimum age for media consumption.

“The more time you spend with screen media, the less your social skills will be.”

Dr. Stephen Pont, a pediatrician at Dell Children’s Medical Center comments on digital media:

“it makes sense at the extreme that it would affect memory. We do know it can affect sleep quality.” 

More on This Topic: Are You Experiencing Digital Dementia?

How to Avoid Digital Dementia For Your Teenager/Kids

There are precautions you can take to limit your child's chances of developing electronic dementia. Below are seven useful tips.

1. Limit Screen Time

The suggested screen time for children of all ages should be limited to two hours a day and no TV or digital entertainment should be permitted for children under the age of two. Homes should have “screen-free zones”, especially in bedrooms.

2. Use your Head Instead of Relying on Digital Devices

When possible, try to think for yourself instead of relying on your computer to do the thinking for you.

3. Learn a New Language

Using the brain to learn something new, like a new language, provides brain stimulation that can fend off all types of dementia.

4. Get Physical

Exercise is extremely important in order to keep the brain active and healthy.

5. Perform Brain-Based Postural Exercises

Brain-based learning refers to teaching methods, lesson designs, and school programs that are based on the latest scientific research about how the brain learns, including cognitive development—how students learn differently as they age, grow, and mature socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

6. Read a Real Book, Not a Kindle

Yes, reading is great stimulation for the brain, but reading from electronic devices such as a Kindle, exposes your body to electromagnetic fields which can promote electronic dementia.

Learn More: What Are EMFS?

7: Interact with Real Life

Children need to spend the majority of their time interacting with real people and real life instead of the equivalent of computer games. Make sure they regularly perform the following:

  • Exercise
  • Play outdoors
  • Reading
  • Enjoy hobbies
  • Use their imaginations creatively
  • Learn with non-electronic formats like newspapers, board games and books
  • TVs should be turned off during meals to foster family time interaction

Other Tips For Parents

Additional tips for extra precautions against electronic dementia include:

  • Delay introducing technology to your child for as long as possible
  • Monitor children's media—for example, be aware of what apps are used
  • Turn off the television set and other devices when not in use—background media can distract from parent-child interaction and child play, which are both very important in child language and social-emotional development
  • Keep the bedroom, mealtimes and parent-child playtimes screen-free
  • Avoid exposure to devices or screens an hour before bedtime
  • Avoid using media as the only way to calm your children—this can lead to problems with a child's own ability to set limits and manage emotions

In Summary

In this article, we learned the definition of digital dementia, the symptoms children could face, and seven tips to avoid it. We hope you find this information useful and take electronic dementia as seriously as we do.

The use of electrical devices will only increase. As parents, it's our duty to care for our children and protect them from new dangers such as digital dementia.

To learn more about how technology impacts our wellness check out this additional information:

 

Stay connected with nontoxic lifestyle news and updates!

Receive our free Ruan Living Nontoxic Cleaning Guide when you join our email list.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.

We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.

About Ruan Living

Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

In no event will Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living be liable for any damages or loss of any kind resulting from the use of this website. Anyone relying upon or making use of the information on this website does so at his or her own risk.

Some of the services and products recommended on this website provide compensation to Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living. All recommendations are based foremost upon an honest belief that the product, service, or site will benefit our site visitors in some way.  

Detox Your Inbox

Easy tips, podcasts, workshops, updates, and more!

SIGN UP

For You

40-Day Home Detox

Book

Blog

D-Tox Academy

Engage

Podcast

Shop

Ruan Living

Our Mission

Sophia Ruan Gushée

Corporate Wellness

D-Tox Academy

Engage

Events

Press

Testimonials

Stay In Touch

[email protected]