The families of their young children, when they are not yet two years old, encourage the use of the Internet and various electronic devices to intimidate them and reduce their discomfort within the home, believing that the child's skill and speed in dealing with these devices is an indicator of intelligence. But many do not know that the psychiatric clinics in Abu Dhabi have received cases of children at an early age with delayed speech, inclinations, and various behavioral and psychological problems, due to a long time spent on the Internet, according to the psychologist, Head of Behavioral Sciences at Khalifa Medical City, Al-Alami, who confirmed that "one of the main problems we see in the psychiatric clinics is the category of children suffering from psychological and behavioral problems, as a result of spending long hours on electronic devices and tablets, the Internet and computers."
"We see very often that parents think that spending long hours on electronic devices is useful to them, and they consider the child who has the ability to operate electronic devices a smart child, but the truth is the opposite, as recent scientific research has shown that children who spend two hours or More on these devices at an early age vulnerable to impaired speech and social communication ».
Al-Alma'i warned of the medical, psychological and behavioral effects of the excessive use of the Internet and electronic devices in children. This leads to electronic addiction and several behavioral problems.
He added that «there are consequences and psychological complications, infected by children who spend a long time in front of electronic devices, the most important electronic addiction, where the symptoms are fragmentation of mind and nervousness and mood swings, violence and aggression and isolation and delayed speech». He also warned against the use of electronic devices by children under the age of two, which has many psychological and behavioral problems, pointing out that medical studies, especially by the American Society of Pediatrics, recommend that electronic devices should not be used for children under two years of age. Children between two and five years of age are permitted to spend two hours or less at separate times per day in front of these devices, provided that this is supervised by parents and that the content is educational and acceptable to the family ethically and socially. After five years, the child may spend longer on electronic devices and the Internet, depending on age, but under family supervision.
Electronic weapon
Dr. Ahmed Al-Alma'i pointed out that the Internet has become an electronic weapon used to target children. There are pornographic materials and contents that are inappropriate to watch them, and do not suit our societies and religion. There are those who use the Internet to recruit children in terrorist institutions and groups. On children.
He pointed out that many studies indicate that children, who spend a long time in the use of these devices, suffer from health problems and increase weight and diabetes, which is a disease prevalent in our region.
- Psychiatric clinics in Abu Dhabi received cases of children at an early age, with delayed speech and incontinence.