Drawing attention to the negative effects of digital devices on child development, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan warns that children should be kept away from screen use, especially during the 0-3 age period. Emphasizing that the use of “television, tablet, and phone,” defined as 3T, hinders the development of social skills, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “Language and speech skills are delayed; they understand but cannot express themselves. The word-producing area of the brain does not develop. They lag behind their peers.” Noting that parents today should spend more time with their children, Tarhan warned, “50 years ago, parents would spend half an hour with their child; now they should spend 1 hour. Because social interactions have weakened.”
Today, more time should be spent with children!
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the negative effects of television, tablet, and phone, also defined as the dangerous 3T, on children's development.
Cheap babysitters lead to clip syndrome
Noting that many international studies have investigated the effects of television, tablets, and phones, especially on children aged 0-6, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “These are also considered cheap babysitters at home. A mother gives a child a tablet and then focuses on her work. The child plays with it, and hours pass. During this time, there is no crying or sound from the child. The mother does all her chores. Research has been conducted on these effects. We even identified some cases before these studies. It’s called 'Clip Syndrome.' These children couldn't speak even when they reached 4 years old. Because the child watches clips on TV all day. The child watching those clips laughs, plays, and has a very comfortable time. They are even made to watch while eating.”
Very dangerous for ages 0-3
Noting that screens, especially television, have negative effects on children aged 0-3, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Previously, when feeding a child, relatives would try to distract them with games. An uncle would come and do somersaults. While the child laughed, mothers would put food in their mouth. Now there is no need for these. They open commercials on TV, turn up the volume. While the child is interested in it, they put food in their mouth. It is used as a method to feed the child. After a while, the child vehemently demands it, and goes into a crisis when it's not available. Giving tablets to children aged 0-3, or letting them watch television, is like taking a child and throwing them into the sea from Sarayburnu. It is that dangerous.” he warned.
The word-producing area of the brain does not develop
Drawing attention to the negative effects of the 3Ts on children's development, especially during this period, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “It affects the child's mental development, behavioral development, and social change. In fact, social screening tests are conducted, and social performance screening tests show low results in these children. Language and speech skills are delayed; they understand but cannot express themselves, they cannot speak words, they cannot produce words. The word-producing area of the brain does not develop. Fine motor and gross motor skills do not develop. Social skills and self-care skills do not develop. Such children lag behind their peers. Due to such dangerous situations, a 'Harmful for Children' warning will be included in the near future. We are heading towards that point.”
Beware if there is a speech delay!
Noting that children are much more affected if there is no order, love, and warm environment in the family, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “We see this situation occurring more often in weak families with loose discipline and little love. What draws our attention most in such situations is the negative impact on these children's development. If a child does not respond when called, or if there are delays in their language and speech, attention must be paid. A child who has reached 1.5 years old should be speaking two-syllable words. If the child cannot focus on topics other than technology, if there is a tendency for violence, or if they do not want to form relationships with family and friends in other ways, then it is possible to talk about negative effects.”
A child who spends good time with their parents does not need a tablet
For these reasons, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that it should not be used at all until the age of 3, and thereafter, use should be permitted for specific hours. “It is recommended to use it for no more than 21 hours a week. If both parents give a consistent message, the child adapts very easily. If parents do not give a consistent message, the child immediately chooses what they like in such situations. If the child spends quality time with their mother and father, they don't pick up the tablet or television at all. Raising a child requires responsibility. A child takes three things as examples: their mother, their father, and the relationship between the mother and father. If the role models at home, meaning the mother and father, are good, and the mother-father relationship is good, the child does not need the 3Ts. There is a more beautiful, warm environment at home. The child does not enter into addictive relationships and is protected from harm. Therefore, the warm environment of the home, the family atmosphere, and physical contact are special for protection.”
Children are natives of the digital world
Noting that children born in the digital age adapt more easily to the conditions, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Children learn the digital world quickly. Parents compare them to themselves. They are surprised, saying, ‘Our child is very smart, they learned immediately.’ In reality, the child is a native of the digital world; we are outside of that world. That’s why this is a natural situation.”
Disrupts the brain's dopamine control center
Stating that digital device use carries the risk of creating addiction in children, Tarhan said, “It's a very colorful and attractive place for the child. It strongly activates the reward and punishment center in the child's brain. It causes a tremendous release of dopamine in the child's brain, which leads to addiction. The child's addiction disrupts the same dopamine control center in the brain, much like substance addiction. This poses a serious risk.”
Family must be constructive and conscious
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also emphasized that a proper culture of technology use should be established, saying, “The family needs to be conscious, and parents need to act constructively. It should be explained that technology is a tool, not an end in itself. It should be taught that life is a rule-bound environment, with concepts like school, lessons, and work. It should be explained that others have rights, as do siblings and friends. The child needs to learn social boundaries. If a child does not learn social boundaries, they become egocentric. When they grow up, they want everything they desire to happen. A narcissistic child emerges. Therefore, it is necessary to provide information about technology use in a child's education.” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stressed the importance of parents being guiding captains for their children and mentoring them.
Social interactions have weakened, family should spend more time
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also noted that parents today should spend more time with their children, stating, “50 years ago, parents would spend half an hour with their child; now they should spend 1 hour. Because social interactions have weakened. We now see the 3Ts as the open door of the house. The open door of the house used to be the television; now tablets and phones have been added. All three are simultaneously in the safe environment of the home, but the child interacts with an insecure world without developing a perception of reality. The brain can only learn to transition from concrete thinking to abstract thinking at 5-6 years old. A child whose abstract thinking skills do not develop cannot distinguish between imagination and reality.” he warned.