Does Long Computer Gaming Cause Hyperactivity, Sleep Disorders and Vision Problems in Children?

The problem is usually not the game itself. The problem is how long the game lasts and whether it replaces sleep and physical activity outside the home.

The problem is usually not the game itself. The problem is how long the game takes and whether or not it takes the place of sleep and movement outside the house.

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Hyperactivity? Computer gaming alone does not cause hyperactivity, but excessive gaming is associated with increased restlessness and distraction.

sleep? Yes; Playing at night is one of the most proven reasons for children to go to bed late and lack sleep.

sight? Looking at the screen for a long time tires the eyes, and the lack of outdoor games increases the possibility of myopia.

Computer games are an important part of children's entertainment, and many of them strengthen problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork. The problem is usually not the game itself. The problem is how long the game lasts, what time it takes place, and whether or not it takes the place of sleep, movement, and playing outside the house.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is a difference in brain development that is mostly genetic and biological in origin. According to American Psychiatric Association criteria, symptoms of this disorder must have started before age 12 and be present in more than one setting, for example, both at home and at school. There is no credible evidence that computer gaming alone causes hyperactivity.

The relationship between play and hyperactivity is two-way. A study that monitored teenagers for two years showed that teenagers who used phones, games and social networks a lot, at the end of these two years, suffered a little more symptoms of inattention and restlessness. On the other hand, children with hyperactivity are more attracted to the game because of the excitement and quick rewards, and they play it harder.

The World Health Organization has included "gaming disorder" in the official list of diseases. In this disorder, the person cannot control the time and amount of playing and the game becomes so important to him that it takes the place of his daily work and other interests. He continues to play even when it hurts his studies, sleep, or relationships. To be diagnosed with this disorder, this pattern of behavior must usually last for at least 12 months; Of course, if the symptoms are very severe, the doctor may diagnose it earlier.

If you see these signs, consulting a child psychologist in Tehran or your own city will help you understand if your child's interest in playing is normal or if it has become dependent. If you suspect hyperactivity, an examination by a child neurologist or a child psychiatrist is also important. This is because some other problems have symptoms similar to hyperactivity; Such as sleep disorder, learning problems and a kind of mild seizure that can only be seen in the form of staring for a few seconds.

Among these three concerns, the relationship between play and sleep has the clearest evidence. When the researchers reviewed dozens of studies together, almost all of them showed that screen use was associated with later bedtimes and less sleep in children and adolescents. There are three main reasons for this effect:

These three effects have nothing to do with the type of game. If educational games are played in the late hours of the night, they delay sleep with their light.

Lack of sleep in children is not usually seen as fatigue; It mostly appears in the form of restlessness, irritability and carelessness. That is, part of the behavior that parents consider "hyperactivity due to play" may be the result of lack of sleep. If your child has a hard time waking up in the morning, naps in class, or sleeps much more during the holidays than during school days, he or she is probably not getting enough sleep.

When we stare at the screen, we blink less. The result is dry and burning eyes, temporary blurred vision and headache. This set of symptoms is called "eye fatigue" and usually resolves with rest.

A more serious concern is myopia; It means that the eye sees distant objects blurry. Global forecasts show that by 2050, almost half of the world's people will be myopic. Long work with close distance, and more importantly, the lack of time children spend outdoors, are the main reasons for the increase in myopia. Natural daylight and looking into the distance helps the eyeball to grow properly. Playing at home removes both protective factors, and the eye stays fixed for hours on a distance of less than a meter. In a large study in Chinese schools, when 40 minutes of outdoor activities were added to the school's daily schedule, the number of children who became myopic decreased over the next three years.

Blue light filtering glasses, despite their hype, do not have enough evidence to prevent myopia. Regular eye rest, proper distance from the screen and enough time outdoors are more effective.

In these cases, take your child to be examined by a pediatric ophthalmologist in Tehran or your own city. Even without these symptoms, regular eye exams before school and after are recommended, especially if the parent is nearsighted. Myopia in children is manageable and there are ways to slow its progression.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has these recommendations for children's use of screens:

Start with a child psychologist for behavioral concerns, a pediatric neurologist for suspected hyperactivity or seizures, and a pediatric ophthalmologist for vision problems. You can search for all three fields in your city and see the list of doctors in each field together.

Medical disclaimer: This article is only educational and does not take the place of a doctor's examination and diagnosis.