The Stuck Child Syndrome
The syndrome of the stuck child is not yet included in any medical or psychiatric manual. However, there is no doubt that it is a reality that exists and that it is increasingly present in society, since many minors spend long periods of time “hooked” to new technologies.
Faced with this problematic situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends “replacing the long periods in which young children remain subject to or engaged in sedentary activities in front of a screen with more active games, while ensuring that they have a dream enough of good quality ”.
Likewise, it advises to replace the screens with books, stories, songs, puzzles, etc. That is, for more adequate pedagogical resources for the correct development of the little ones.
With this in mind, you may be wondering right now: “Does my child have the Stuck-In-Child Syndrome? What does this mean? What are the consequences? ” . Do not worry! Along the following lines you will discover the answer to all these questions. Pay attention and take note!
The Stuck Child Syndrome
The sedentary lifestyle and digitalization that characterize today’s society are affecting the lifestyle adopted by the new generations.
Thus, children, practically from the moment of their birth, are surrounded by a multitude of electronic devices, which, if not treated with caution, can become a real problem. One of the serious consequences that excessive exposure of minors to screens can lead to is known as the stuck child syndrome.
This term is used by the pedagogue and language therapist Tamara Chubarovsky, to refer to the addiction of some children to screens. That is, the abuse that they make of new technologies, spending much of their time “glued” to a screen, be it the television, tablet, console, computer, etc.
What consequences does this syndrome have?
The stuck child syndrome is particularly damaging to young children, that is, those who are between 0 and 6 years old and who are in the process of growth and development. Thus, some of the negative consequences and affectations that can be observed in children who suffer from this syndrome are the following:
- Greater risk of being overweight due to the sedentary lifestyle of spending a lot of time in front of the screens.
- Loss of agility.
- Difficulty using imagination and being creative.
- Difficulty developing skills related to linguistic competence.
- Inability to have fun without resorting to technology, showing boredom and apathy in these situations.
- Little interest in the environment and the world around them.
- Difficulty developing interpersonal intelligence.
- Sleep problems.
Coping with the stuck child syndrome
To cope with the stuck child syndrome, mothers and fathers must commit to spending quality time with their children without using new technologies to do so.
It involves doing fun activities with the children that stimulate their minds and creativity, such as reading stories, singing songs, playing with dolls or board games, making simple cooking recipes, etc.
Likewise, it is advisable to carry out some physical activity as a family, whether it is going for a walk, riding a bicycle, practicing a sport, etc. With this, it is intended to guarantee the physical and mental development of the little ones.
But this does not mean that you should ban the use of screens in the home. At the end of the day, we must accept that the new generations belong to the digital age and this is a reality that they cannot be deprived of. However, you must be aware of the problems that abuse and excessive exposure to these types of devices can cause.
In short, it is convenient to monitor and limit the time that children spend each day in front of the screens and offer them other options for fun. Do you dare to put these tips into practice?
