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Can Device Use in Children and Teens Lead to Emotional Dysregulation?
The relationship between emotional dysregulation and device use in children and teens is a topic of growing concern among parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. Parents are reporting an increase in anxiety, temper tantrums, and argumentative behaviors across age levels – could device use be to blame?
Emotional dysregulation refers to difficulties in managing and expressing emotions in an adaptive and appropriate manner. We are seeing a significant increase in our students who have difficulty coping with change, regulating big feelings, and expressing their emotions in an age-appropriate way. Signs of increased dysregulation could include rapid shifts between sadness and excitement, a sudden change in mood or feelings, and heightened impulsivity.
Research Shows:
- “Frequent use of devices like smartphones and tablets to calm upset children ages 3-5 was associated with increased emotional dysregulation in kids, particularly in boys, according to a Michigan Medicine study in JAMA Pediatrics.” (Science Daily, 2022).
- “Our findings suggest that using devices as a way to appease agitated children may especially be problematic to those who already struggle with emotional coping skills,” Radesky said. She notes that the preschool-to-kindergarten period is a developmental stage when children may be more likely to exhibit difficult behaviors, such as tantrums, defiance and intense emotions. This may make it even more tempting to use devices as a parenting strategy.” (Science Daily, 2022)
- “The association between emotional dysregulation and problematic technology use is of importance….the current study found that in adolescents, emotion dysregulation is closely related not only to problematic Internet use, but also to specific problematic technology use such as Internet Gaming Disorder, problematic social media use, and problematic smartphone use. In addition, we also observed that adolescents with emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use often report further behavioral problems or higher levels of negative mood symptoms.” (Yang et al, 2022)
- “Excessive screen time (i.e., >>2–3 h/day exposure to electronic media including television, computers, and mobile electronic devices) has been shown to affect brain development (i.e., structure and function) and increase the risk of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders in adolescents and young adults by negatively impacting attention and concentration, learning and memory, emotional regulation and social functioning, physical health, and development of mental disorders and substance use.” (Manwell et all, 2022)
When it comes to device use, particularly smartphones, tablets, and computers, there are several ways in which excessive screen time and digital media exposure can impact our children’s emotional well-being and contribute to emotional dysregulation.
- Delayed Emotional Development: Excessive screen time can lead to a delay in the development of emotional regulation skills. Children may become accustomed to quick and intense emotional stimuli from video games or social media, which can make it challenging for them to handle real-life emotions and frustrations appropriately.
- Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction: Excessive device use can lead to reduced face-to-face social interaction, which is crucial for children’s emotional development. Interpersonal skills, such as reading facial expressions and body language, are developed through in-person interactions. When children spend too much time on screens, they may struggle with understanding and responding to emotions in others.
- Social Comparison and Self-Esteem:
Social media platforms, in particular, can expose children and teens to unrealistic portrayals of others’ lives, leading to social comparison and decreased self-esteem. Constant exposure to curated images and lifestyles can make children feel inadequate or left out, contributing to emotional distress.
- Cyberbullying: Online interactions can sometimes lead to cyberbullying, where children may be subjected to hurtful comments, harassment, or exclusion by peers. Cyberbullying can have a severe impact on a child’s emotional well-being and may lead to emotional dysregulation.
Emotional Responses to Content: Exposure to violent, disturbing, or highly emotional content on screens, such as video games or certain websites, can lead to emotional dysregulation in children. They may struggle to process and cope with the emotional content they encounter.
Overstimulation and Sleep Disruption: Excessive screen time, especially before bedtime, can overstimulate a child’s brain and interfere with their sleep patterns. Lack of quality sleep can contribute to mood swings, irritability, and emotional instability.
- Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms: Children who become addicted to digital devices may experience withdrawal symptoms when they are separated from screens. This can include irritability, frustration, and mood swings, contributing to emotional dysregulation.
So…What Can We Do?
To address these concerns, parents and caregivers can take several proactive steps:
- Set Screen Time Limits: Establish clear guidelines for screen time and ensure children have time for offline activities, including socializing with peers and engaging in physical activities.
Model Healthy Device Use: Set a positive example by demonstrating responsible and balanced device use yourself.
Encourage Face-to-Face Interaction: Encourage your child to engage in face-to-face interactions with family and friends to develop social and emotional skills.
- Promote Emotional Expression: Encourage your child to express their emotions and provide a supportive environment for discussing feelings and challenges. Model and discuss appropriate coping strategies.
- Monitor Content:
Be aware of the content your child is accessing online and use parental controls to filter inappropriate content and ensure age-appropriate usage.
- Teach Media Literacy: Help children develop critical thinking skills to evaluate and interpret the content they encounter online.
If you have concerns about your child’s emotional well-being or the impact of device use on their behavior, C4L’s psychologists and therapists can help provide guidance and support.
Sources:
- Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan. “Frequently using digital devices to soothe young children may backfire.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 December 2022. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221212140614.htm>.
- https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/12/health/tantrum-distraction-screens-parenting-wellness/index.html Yang H, Wang Z, Elhai JD, Montag C. The relationship between adolescent emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use: Systematic review of the empirical literature. J Behav Addict. 2022 Jun 10;11(2):290-304. doi: 10.1556/2006.2022.00038. PMID: 35895565; PMCID: PMC9295251.
- Laurie A. Manwell, Merelle Tadros, Tiana M. Ciccarelli, Roelof Eikelboom. Digital dementia in the internet generation: excessive screen time during brain development will increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in adulthood. J. Integr. Neurosci. 2022, 21(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2101028