UK Research Team: "Children Who Use Smartphones Longer Have Lower Concentration"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A study has found that prolonged exposure to smartphones or tablet PCs at a young age tends to lead to decreased concentration in the future, the British daily Daily Mail reported on the 26th (local time).

According to research led by Professor Tim Smith of the Brain and Cognitive Development Institute at University College London, the more time spent using devices, the more likely children are to quickly shift their gaze to new objects appearing on touchscreens or show signs of attention dispersion.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic increasing the time children spend using smart devices at home, this research has raised concerns regarding child development, the media reported.

The research team observed the touchscreen usage time of 40 infants aged 12 months over a period of 2 years and 6 months. The study results were published in the academic journal Scientific Reports.

The research team stated, "We have not identified a precise causal relationship," and added, "We plan to conduct further studies to determine whether this tendency has negative effects in real life or if it might be beneficial."

Professor Rachel Bedford of the University of Bath, who participated in the study, said, "It raises the question of whether children have adapted to multitasking or if they are experiencing difficulties with tasks that require concentration."

Another study by Professor Smith's team, published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, found that children aged 18 months to 3 years and 6 months who frequently used touchscreens were able to find target objects more quickly during visual searches.

On the other hand, there is also research indicating that longer touchscreen usage time is associated with a higher likelihood of autism-like symptoms.

A study conducted by a team at Drexel University in the U.S. found that 12-month-old children who spent more time using touchscreens had about a 4% higher chance of exhibiting ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) symptoms compared to those who did not.

Dr. Karen Hefler of Drexel University stated, "While interactions between parents and infants help with child development, many studies show that increased touchscreen use is linked to developmental delays."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.