Latest news with #AmericanAcademyofPaediatrics
Mint
25-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Mental health at risk! Phones for kids under 13 ‘shape the way they think,' warn experts
Smartphones are influencing how children under 13, especially girls, think and develop, and experts have warned that this early exposure could lead to poorer mental health outcomes later in life. One of the study's authors, Tara Thiagarajan, said that more exposure to smartphones impacts younger children psychologically and alters the way they think and perceive the world. 'The younger the child gets a smartphone, the more exposure to all this impacts them psychologically and shapes the way they think and view the world,' she told ABC News. The study, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, analysed self-reported questionnaire results from more than 1,00,000 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. It was based on questions about mental health symptoms, such as having aggression, feelings of detachment, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. The study revealed that those who were given smartphones at an earlier age were associated with worse mental health outcomes. The study found that owning smartphones early, before 13 years of age, was associated with feelings of lower self-image and lower self-worth in both girls and boys. It resulted in lower emotional resilience and confidence for girls, while the boys reported feeling less calm, less stable, and less empathetic. Nearly 48% of young women who had smartphones by age 5 or 6 reported experiencing severe suicidal thoughts—compared to 28% among those who got their first phone at 13 or later. Among young men, the figures were 31% for early phone users and 20% for those who got phones at 13 or older. Experts have attributed the differences between women's and men's mental health symptoms to social media usage. Other factors that impacted the mental health outcomes were cyberbullying, poor sleep and poor family relationships. To protect children's mental health, experts urge restrictions on smartphone and social media use for those under 13, alongside better digital education and greater corporate responsibility. 'Ideally, children should not have a smartphone until age 14, and when they do get a smartphone, parents should take the time to discuss with their children how to interact on the Internet and explain the consequences of doing various things,' Tara said. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, as cited by ABC News, families must follow the 5 C's of media use:
Irish Examiner
22-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Colman Noctor: Less screen time a ‘game' changer for bored children during summer
MANY parents feel conflicted about the summer holidays. On the one hand, there's relief from making lunches, washing uniforms, and doing homework. On the other hand, despite the number of summer camps, children have lots of unstructured time for endless gaming on platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, or Minecraft. As the first month of the primary school summer holidays ends, some parents will have noticed familiar patterns in their children, like glazed eyes, resistance to logging off, repeated requests for virtual currencies, like Robux or V-Bucks, and pleas to 'log in for just a minute' for some 'essential' update. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and your child is not unusual. These games are designed to be highly addictive. The offer of instant reward, creative freedom, and social interaction is hugely appealing to young children. However, excessive gaming can impact vital developmental experiences like boredom, physical activity, creativity, and real-life social connection. Instead of banning gaming, the goal should be to find a balance for your child. This can be achieved by using strategies to help them manage their gaming habits and avoid turning your home in to a battleground. Approach with curiosity, not conflict If your child is immersed in a game, begin with curiosity. Ask what they enjoy. Is it building, competing, or playing with friends? Often, it is not the screen that the child desires, but what the screen provides them. This can include feelings of autonomy, mastery, achievement, and connection. Understanding these motivations will help you when suggesting meaningful offline alternatives. Create a flexible structure Co-create a daily rhythm with your child, of which gaming is only one part. Unlike rigid schedules, rhythms focus on tasks to be completed rather than timed activities. For example, mornings could include some deal-breakers, such as having breakfast, getting dressed, and some outdoor or physical activity. If the weather isn't ideal, suggest creative indoor options, like drawing or Lego. Once these activities are done, screen time (with limits) can be allowed. Explain that screen time is like junk food, in that it is OK in moderation, but it is not the mainstay of your dietary intake. Screen time should occur alongside healthy routines, which include time with family and friends and doing their allocated chores. And, like junk food, there should be minimal screen time late in the day, as the evening should consist of calming activities, such as reading or a bath. The American Academy of Paediatrics supports this 'collaborative structure' approach and suggests it could take the form of a visible agreement posted on the fridge for all to see. It recommends avoiding strict bans, which can lead to resistance and do not address the child's need to develop self-regulation skills. Instead, clear and consistent, but flexible, guidelines are encouraged. Manage transitions Logging off can feel like a dopamine crash for children. It is advisable to ease these transitions by having a 'next activity' readily available. This can be something simple, like a snack, a walk, or a card game — just something that can soften the landing. It also helps to give time warnings during transitions — like '10 minutes left' — to avoid the child starting a new game just before screen time ends. Allowing a few extra minutes to save their progress can also reduce conflict. Just as you wouldn't want your Netflix show cut off at a cliffhanger moment, children need the same consideration when gaming. Offer appealing alternatives We're competing with technology for our children's attention. So, telling a child to stop gaming and clean their room is unlikely to be effective. We need to provide real-world, dopamine-engaging alternatives to match the video game's appeal. Doing this can be quite challenging, because games like Roblox provide constant feedback through reward coins and badges, and completed levels. Real life, especially during summer, can seem much slower and less thrilling by comparison. However, suggestions like movie-making, water play, baking, or a game of UNO could be helpful. I can hear many parents say, 'Where would I get the time for all of that?' However, the world we live in means that, whether we like it or not, it's our responsibility to make offline fun as engaging as online gaming. Support social needs offline Instead of just focusing on reducing screen time, we also need to consider supporting children's social skills beyond their screens. The less confident or familiar children feel with face-to-face communication, the more attractive text and screen-based communication will become. Consider the challenges faced by many Gen Z individuals who find unannounced phonecalls or visitors intimidating. For many children, online gaming is a social hub. Without the daily contact they are accustomed to with classmates, the summer can feel lonely, and online gaming can fill this void. Therefore, we need to consider ways to increase their opportunities for face-to-face interaction. While my 12-year-old daughter loves playing online games with her friends, I do not doubt that if the option to meet them in person were available, she would prefer that. If the summer feels lonely for your child, try to support their in-person interaction by arranging meet-ups with friends, group outings, or time at the park. Again, this can be tough for working parents, but these interactions teach children how to navigate digital and real-world friendships, and are essential life skills. Let boredom spark creativity The classic cry of 'I'm bored' is familiar over the summer break, but instead of seeing boredom as the enemy, it can be the birthplace of imagination. There is something wonderful about seeing a bored child turn an empty cardboard box into a spaceship or witnessing what they can do with a piece of chalk and a pavement. However, children who become used to constant entertainment may struggle to tolerate boredom, and this skill may need to be taught and facilitated. So, don't rush to fill every quiet moment. Let them experience the discomfort of having nothing to do and then discover their own ways to self-entertain. Helping them sit with boredom builds resilience and offers a window for creativity. Look beneath the surface Sometimes, excessive gaming is not just a habit, but a coping mechanism for loneliness or anxiety. Without the school's structure, these anxious feelings can intensify in summer. Check in gently to see how your child is feeling and see if gaming might be a symptom, rather than a problem. Celebrate progress over perfection Don't expect instant, dramatic changes. It is difficult for any child to reduce their gaming from four hours daily to 30 minutes, so acknowledge the small wins. Statements like, 'You played calmly just now and logged off without a fuss, great job' will help, as positive reinforcement is crucial while building a child's self-regulation skills. You could consider implementing a reward system to encourage your child to manage their gaming-related distress. For example, if they stick to their agreed time allocation, play calmly, and log off without a fuss, they earn bonus time for the next session. If they resist or argue, the time allocated for the next screen session is reduced. This approach reinforces self-control and accountability. Remember, not all screen time is equal. If the child is using screens in a productive way, creating something, or learning a skill via an online tutorial, this is not the same as gaming and should not count as their permitted screen time. We need to teach children the difference between 'time spent' and 'time well spent'. Model healthy habits Children imitate what they see. If you're constantly on your phone or laptop, they notice. Try creating your own screen-free rituals and invite your child to join. Your actions speak louder than any rule. Design a healthy summer game plan Think like a game designer. Modify the environment, build in rewards, offer engaging alternatives, and maintain emotional connection. Remember, the best summer memories are made with muddy wellies, glowing cheeks, and late-night giggles, not on a screen. Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Colman Noctor: Watching TV with your child can be educational for you both
WHEN I raise concerns about how technology affects children's development, I often hear the retort, 'They said the same about television and that turned out OK'. In response, I point out that web-based screen use is entirely different, because the online space is unregulated, interactive, and immersive. The common perception of screen time has long been negative, and there's justification for it. Excessive screen use has been connected to sleep disturbance, obesity, and even attention difficulties. However, like any tools, screen devices aren't inherently good or bad. It all depends on how they're utilised. As a psychotherapist who has worked with many families about screen-time concerns, television programmes and movies can be a learning tool, not only for children, but also for parents. This is why I have been consulting with companies that produce television content for children. It is an opportunity to create high-quality material that children can learn from and enjoy. The most recent project I worked on was a short, animated show, called No Worries (currently available on the RTÉ Player). The show features the voices of comedians PJ Gallagher and Emma Doran, who play a son and mother navigating the worries of returning to school after the summer holidays. The premise is that worries are normal and, with support and some reframing, we can cope with everyday concerns and overcome them. The series demonstrates that worry is not a disorder, but an expected part of life. I am also working with the charity A Lust for Life, helping to create a mental-fitness curriculum for secondary schools. Video clips as catalysts for conversation are a key element of the programme's design. Screen-based stories are an excellent way to illustrate personal scenarios and to discuss issues we can relate to without requiring self-disclosure, which can be intimidating. One of the most vital contributions we can make as parents is helping our children shift from passive to active engagement with screens. When children watch content passively, opportunities for reflection, discussion, and learning are limited. However, when adults co-view, ask questions, and discuss what's happening, a valuable educational opportunity can arise. Research from the American Academy of Paediatrics (2020) supports joint media engagement with television shows. The researchers found that when parents watch and discuss content with their children, it improves comprehension, critical thinking, and emotional understanding — essential skills as they grow up in an increasingly technological and AI-driven world. Instead of screens being a babysitter, this approach positions them as a starting point for connection and conversation. This is especially important for younger children, for whom opportunities to develop emotional literacy can be limited. Consider Bluey, for example, a programme often praised for its emotional intelligence and portrayal of gentle, responsive parenting. If parents and children watch an episode together, and then discuss the characters' feelings or choices, it can open pathways to conversations about empathy, frustration, or resilience. In this way, television becomes a mirror and a guide, reflecting experiences children can relate to and helping them learn how to navigate these emotions. Stories, whether told through books, films, or whispered at bedtime, are central to how children grasp the world. Film and television typically deliver content in a highly engaging format, using visual and emotional cues that can improve understanding, especially for children who find traditional literacy challenging or who struggle to focus. Television as a teacher Dr Jennifer Kotler Clarke, a Texas social scientist, says that well-designed children's programmes can teach social-emotional skills. She notes that the educational children's television series Sesame Street, for instance, has been shown in longitudinal studies to improve early literacy and numeracy, particularly among disadvantaged children. However, its influence goes beyond that, as it also models conflict resolution, inclusion, and kindness. One storyline that springs to mind is Elmo and Zoe's rock argument. In this episode, Elmo gets frustrated when Zoe insists her pet rock, Rocco, is real and wants him to include it in their play. With guidance from adults, Elmo learns to respect Zoe's feelings, even if he doesn't understand them. It teaches young viewers that you can disagree with friends, but still show empathy and patience. And let's not forget the classic Sesame Street song and book, We're Different, We're the Same, which shows how people may look or live differently, but share the same feelings, needs, and worth. Modelling that diversity is something to celebrate, not fear. In a 2013 study published in the journal Paediatrics, researchers found that children who watched pro-social television content showed more co-operative behaviour and less aggression when the media they viewed emphasised empathy and positive social interactions. While it's easy to blame the media for increasing the portrayal of aggression on our screens, the reverse can also be true. The type of media to which children are exposed matters. Television and film can also act as windows in to worlds that are otherwise inaccessible to children. A documentary about the rainforest can ignite an interest in environmental conservation; a show featuring a character with a disability can promote inclusion and understanding. In Ireland, a television show created by Belfast's Paper Owl Films featured an autistic character, Pablo, and provided not only representation, but also a way for neurotypical children to understand their neurodiverse peers better. Many children also watch content on their tablets, so it is advisable that parents sit and watch programmes on these devices as they would on television. Media representation influences how children perceive race, gender, ability, and identity, and developmentally appropriate shows and movies can be essential tools for learning about these issues. When children watch content that portrays age-old stereotypes, such as Daddy Pig from Peppa Pig or Homer Simpson from The Simpsons, we need to encourage them to challenge, understand the context, and sometimes reject those messages. The goal isn't to shield children from every uncomfortable idea, but to empower them to think critically about what they see. Media literacy Media literacy is quickly becoming one of the most essential skills in the digital age. Essentially, we want our children to become discerning consumers of content, asking questions like, 'Who made this? What is it trying to tell me? Whose perspective is missing?' Discernment is one of the most important skills we can teach our children in today's world. Any activity that helps them develop this skill should be encouraged. This doesn't mean turning every movie night into a TED talk. However, subtle prompts, like 'Why do you think that character acted that way?' or 'What would you have done differently?' can encourage children to pause and think, and, hopefully, over time, this thinking becomes a habit. It's tempting to want control over our children's media diets, to curate every moment and monitor every screen. However, with the rise of handheld devices that offer unrestricted access to the online world, this has become nearly impossible, just as with treat foods a strict or overly restrictive approach can have negative effects. Instead, parents must act as co-pilots. We need to understand the media our children consume and be willing to enter their world, walking alongside them as they make sense of it. I strongly believe in the difference between presence and engagement. It's not enough to be in the same room as our children while they're glued to a screen. True engagement means stepping into the story with them. It involves being curious about why they enjoy a particular programme, which characters they relate to, and how they feel when the plot changes. When we do this, the screen becomes less of a wedge and more of a bridge, connecting us to our children's inner worlds in a way few other tools can. You might presume that joint-engagement media watching only applies to small children, but my teenage son loves Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and we often watch it together. When I asked him what he liked about the show, he said he enjoys the sarcastic humour, which aligns with his current view of the world as a 15-year-old, where quick-witted one-line retorts are valuable if you want to survive social banter. Of course, not all content is created equally. Some shows, often found on platforms like YouTube, are designed purely to exploit attention spans, and are characterised by frantic pacing and consumerist messages. And perhaps a moderate amount of exposure to such content is acceptable or could be part of the give-and-take approach to screen time. The key is balance. The occasional mindless cartoon, or unboxing of videos (where YouTubers open the boxes of new toys, etc., and review them), or gamer influencer shouting annoyingly as they play a video game on their YouTube channel, isn't going to harm your child. However, if we want to raise thoughtful, empathetic, and curious young people, we need to ensure they also consume media that nurtures those qualities. As parents, we often feel like we're battling against a digital tide. But perhaps stopping the flow altogether is impossible, so, instead, let's concentrate on learning how to steer through it. Not all television shows and films are hostile; some can be influential cultural texts, rich in meaning, potential, and impact. When we use television shows intentionally as starting points for conversation or as tools for empathy, they can serve as springboards for curiosity. So, undoubtedly, over the summer, when your child turns on the television, see it as an opportunity. Sit down beside your child and don't just watch the programme with them: Ask a few questions about it. The learning might surprise you both. Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist Read More How to plan the perfect teen holiday: Real stories and expert tips for family travel
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First Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
As Maga camp rejoices, 10 things that transgenders lost in US court against Trump
US Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee state law banning gender-affirming care for minors. While Maga rejoices in the ruling here are 10 ways the judgment affects trans people in the United States read more The US Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Tennessee state law banning gender-affirming care for minors, which activists argued was a devastating loss for transgener rights in the country. The apex American court gave its ruling in the United States v Skrmetti, which was filed last year by three families of trans children and a provider of gender-affirming care.. During the oral arguments last year, the plaintiffs, as well as the US government, then helmed by Joe Biden, argued that Tennessee's law constituted sex-based discrimination and thus violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. As per the state law, someone assigned female at birth could not be prescribed testosterone, but someone assigned male at birth could receive those drugs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Tennessee stated that the ban is necessary to protect children from what it termed 'experimental' medical treatment. During the Wednesday arguments, Conservative judges at the Supreme Court sided with Tennessee law. All six of the Supreme Court's conservative justices went on to uphold the law, although several also wrote their own concurring opinions. Amid the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasised that the ruling was primarily based on the justices' finding that the law did not violate the equal protection clause, rather than on an ideological opposition to trans rights. 'This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field. The voices in these debates raise sincere concerns; the implications for all are profound,' Roberts wrote in his opinion. 'We leave questions regarding its policy to the people, their elected representatives, and the democratic process," he added. Activists argued that the ruling can turn out to be a major blow to trangender rights in the United States. What transgender people lost against Trump Expert and medical advice ignored: The Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care (puberty blockers, hormones, surgeries) despite overwhelming evidence from major medical groups such as the American Academy of Paediatrics, which cites decades of research showing these treatments reduce gender dysphoria and suicide risks. Health crisis for trans youth: Denying access to medically recommended care risks worsening mental health outcomes, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. Delayed treatments may also lead to irreversible physical changes (e.g., puberty progression) that exacerbate psychological distress. Societal stigma amplified: The ruling reinforces systemic discrimination, emboldening anti-trans policies in education, sports, and public spaces. Families may face social ostracisation, while advocacy groups warn of rising hate crimes and eroded community trust. Economic burden on families: Families in ban states may incur relocation costs to access care elsewhere. Health systems in supportive states could face strain, while bans may deter businesses and skilled workers from operating in restrictive regions, impacting local economies. Legal patchwork creates inequality: Over 20 states can now enforce bans, creating a fragmented system where care access depends on geography. This exacerbates socioeconomic disparities, as low-income families lack the resources to travel for treatments. Workforce and productivity loss: Untreated mental health issues among trans youth could reduce future workforce participation and productivity. States may face higher long-term healthcare costs from emergency mental health interventions. Trump's broader anti-trans agenda gets a boost: The ruling aligns with Trump-era policies restricting transgender military service, sports participation, and federal healthcare funding, framing trans rights as a cultural wedge issue despite scientific consensus. Medical community backlash: Doctors and hospitals in ban-states risk legal penalties for providing care, leading to clinician shortages in gender-affirming fields and reduced quality of care for all patients. Global repercussions: The decision may inspire similar bans worldwide, undermining global human rights efforts and international LGBTQ+ health collaborations. Youth autonomy undermined: The ruling dismisses trans youths' agency over their bodies, perpetuating societal narratives that marginalise their identities and limit their future opportunities in education and employment.
Euronews
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
US Supreme Court upholds Tennessee on gender affirming care for minors
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors in a stunning setback to transgender rights. The justices' 6-3 decision in a case from Tennessee effectively protects from legal challenges many efforts by President Donald Trump's Republican administration and state governments to roll back protections for transgender people. Another 26 states have laws similar to Tennessee's. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a conservative majority that the law does not violate the Constitution's equal protection clause, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same. 'This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy, and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field. The voices in these debates raise sincere concerns; the implications for all are profound,' Roberts wrote. 'The Equal Protection Clause does not resolve these disagreements. Nor does it afford us license to decide them as we see best.' In a dissent for the court's three liberal justices that she summarised aloud in the courtroom, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, 'By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims. In sadness, I dissent.' The decision comes amid a range of other federal and state efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. In April, Trump's administration sued Maine for not complying with the government's push to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports. The Republican president also has sought to block federal spending on gender-affirming medical care for those under age 19 — instead promoting talk therapy only to treat young transgender people. In addition, the Supreme Court has allowed him to kick transgender service members out of the military, even as court fights continue. The president also signed another order to define the sexes as only male and female. The president of the American Academy of Paediatrics, Dr. Susan Kressly, said in a statement the organisation is 'unwavering' in its support of gender-affirming care and 'stands with paediatricians and families making health care decisions together and free from political interference.' Kressly said the Supreme Court's decision 'sets a dangerous precedent for legislative interference in the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship.' The justices acted a month after the United Kingdom's top court delivered a setback to transgender rights, ruling unanimously that the Equality Act means trans women can be excluded from some groups and single-sex spaces, like changing rooms, homeless shelters, swimming areas and medical or counselling services provided only to women. Five years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled that transgender people, as well as gay and lesbian people, are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. That decision remains unaffected by Wednesday's ruling. Emergency workers recovered more bodies on Wednesday from the rubble of a nine-story Kyiv apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile, bringing the death toll from the latest attack on the Ukrainian capital to 28. The building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district took a direct hit and collapsed in what was the deadliest Russian attack on the city this year. Authorities said that 23 of those killed were inside. While sniffer dogs searched for buried victims, rescuers used cranes, excavators and even their hands to clear debris from the site. The attack overnight on Monday into Tuesday was part of a sweeping barrage as Russia once again sought to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences. More than 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched - one of the biggest bombardments on the capital since the war began in 2022. Russia has launched a summer offensive along parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometre frontline and has intensified long-range attacks that have struck urban residential areas. At the same time, US-led peace efforts have failed to gain traction, while Middle East tensions and US trade tariffs are diverting global focus away from Ukraine's calls for greater diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) says that Russia poses a direct threat to the bloc through acts of sabotage and cyberattacks, while its massive military spending suggests Moscow also plans to use the armed forces elsewhere in the future. 'Russia is already a direct threat to the European is a long-term plan for a long-term aggression. You don't spend that much on military if you do not plan to use it,' Kallas told EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, as she listed a series of Russian airspace violations, provocative military exercises, and attacks on energy grids, pipelines and undersea cables. Kallas noted that Russia is already spending more on defence than the EU's 27 nations combined, and this year will invest more 'on defence than its own health care, education and social policy combined.' NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said that Russia is producing as many weapons and ammunition in three months as the 32 allies together make in a year. He believes that Russia could be in a position to launch an attack on a NATO ally by the end of the decade. Concern is mounting in Europe that Russia could try to test NATO's Article 5 security guarantee, the pledge that an attack on any one of the allies would be met with a collective response from all 32. In 2021, NATO allies acknowledged that significant and cumulative cyberattacks might, in certain circumstances, also be considered an armed attack that could lead them to invoke Article 5, but so far no action has been taken.
