ZAGREB: Excessive use of mobile phones causes addiction and affects children's psyche. Children go to sleep with mobile phones, wake up, eat, play and study with them, which has led to the increase in the number of children with mental disorders, peer violence, obesity and digital dementia, experts warn.
"Numerous studies in the world and in Croatia indicate an increase in the risk to mental health, especially at an adolescent age, but this is increasingly moving down to a younger age.
"According to data from the World Health Organisation, one in seven adolescents aged between 10 and 19 has some mental health difficulties. And in Croatia it is more than 11 per cent," Croatian news agency (HINA) reported director of the Split-Dalmatia County Public Health Training Institute, Zeljka Karin, said at a recent round table on the impact of mobile devices on the mental health of children in Split.
The health picture of school children and young people shows that more than 49,000 girls and boys in Croatia have some form of mental disorder and that the prevalence is higher in boys than in girls.
Psychiatrist Zeljko Kljucevic warned against the use of mobile phones in class and during breaks. "Children are less focused on the teaching process. There is a lack of socialisation, there is cyberbullying, anxiety, eating disorders, a distorted self-image, and teachers are photographed without their consent."
Of particular concern is the occurrence of digital dementia, which refers to a series of symptoms that affect the cognitive function and are similar to those of dementia, occurring as a result of excessive and inadequate use of digital technologies such as mobile phones, tablets and computers, according to Kljucevic.
According to data from the Blue Phone helpline, children use mobile phones to record literally everything, even what they shouldn't, and often use the recordings to mock their friends and schoolmates and post them on social networks.
Also, searches for information on suicide and self-harm has increased by 50 per cent among children and adolescents, it reported.
"We need to restore society's interest in prevention, develop a network of cooperation between institutions, associations and individuals, adopt and apply examples of good practice, and ensure that parents play a key role in addition to the education system," Kljucevic said.
Agnes Jelacic, a counsellor at Split's Lokve-Gripe Primary School, has been dealing with the issue of mobile phone use among children for ten years. She says that 40 per cent of seventh and eighth grade pupils go to sleep after 11 pm because they spend time on mobile phones and come to class in the morning sleepy.
"A child who studies with a mobile phone and constantly receives text messages cannot concentrate on learning or maintain focus. These factors affect their success and learning.
"We cannot say that this is the case with everyone or that all children are addicted to mobile phones, but we have noticed that there are more and more of them who are afraid that they will lose their mobile phone and be grounded, and that is what worries us," said Jelacic.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Sep 04 2023
Children go to sleep with mobile phones, wake up, eat, play and study with them, which has led to the increase in the number of children with mental disorders, peer violence, obesity and digital dementia, experts warn. - UNSPLASH
Sabah 2024: Leadership, alliances and road to 17th State Polls
Sabah stands on the brink of a transformative year, with the recent appointment of Tun Musa Aman as the 11th Yang Dipertua Negeri and the 17th State Election looming on the horizon.
S. Korea's Parliament votes for appointment of Constitutional Court Justices
South Korea's parliament on Thursday voted for the appointment of three constitutional court justices to fill vacancies on the nine-member bench for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial
List of BRICS partners to be announced soon - Brazil's Foreign Ministry
The complete list of countries that will join BRICS as partners will be disclosed in the coming weeks, Russian News Agency (TASS) reported.
Green Electricity Tariff programme to continue in 2025 - Petra
The Green Electricity Tariff (GET) programme will continue in 2025, says PETRA.
Telegram, Tencent begin licensing process to operate in Malaysia - MCMC
Service providers Telegram and Tencent (WeChat) have initiated the process of obtaining the required licence for operating their platforms in Malaysia, said MCMC
PM Anwar wants tourism products to promote more local history, legends and legendary sites
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hopes initiatives to promote tourism products related to legendary sites, history, local legends and myths can be enhanced to attract tourists to the country.
No Malaysians affected by unrest in Mozambique, says Wisma Putra
No Malaysians in Mozambique have been affected by the ongoing unrest, which has predominantly impacted urban areas, including the capital Maputo, said Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra.
Sri Lankan President expresses interest in joining BRICS in letter to Putin
Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake expressed interest in joining BRICS in a letter sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.
Raub fully recovers from floods
The flood situation in Pahang has shown improvements, with a decrease in the number of evacuees after the temporary relief centre (PPS) in Raub closed this morning.
Govt to organise Economic Forum on Jan 9
The government is set to organise the Malaysian Economic Forum (FEM2025) on Jan 9, 2025, to chart Malaysia's priorities and policies for 2025.
Immediate reform needed in social media regulations to protect children - Syerleena
The government's move to licence social media services to overcome various problems on the Internet, including digital predation on children is apt, said Bukit Bendera MP
MACC to focus on eradicating grand corruption, returning misappropriated national assets, money in 2025
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) aims to focus on eradicating corruption in procurement, enforcement and grand corruption to help the country's economy.
Perspective: 20 years on, lessons learned and unlearned from 2004 tsunami
Reflections on the devastating tsunami 20 years ago
Tesla's Shanghai mega factory to complete construction by end of year
US carmaker Tesla's mega factory in Shanghai is expected to finish construction by the end of this year, according to Tesla China, reported Xinhua.
Japan to ease visas for Chinese visitors, boosting ties and tourism
Japan will ease visa requirements for Chinese visitors, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya announced Wednesday, aiming to boost tourism and business ties between the neighbouring countries.
Hamas says Gaza ceasefire deal delayed due to new Israeli conditions
Palestinian group Hamas said Wednesday that a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap has been delayed due to new Israeli conditions, Anadolu Agency reported.
Govt suggested to integrate AI, IoT as smart solution for flood disaster management
The government should integrate AI & IoT technology as a solution for flood disaster management, says the Malaysian IoT Association
State commission convenes to investigate Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash causes
The commission addressed several urgent issues, including providing necessary assistance to those injured in the accident.
Continuous rain warning across three states from Dec 28 - MetMalaysia
Continuous rain at the alert level is expected to occur in several parts of Sabah for three days, starting this Saturday (Dec 28), according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
Ringgit opens slightly higher vs greenback
The ringgit opened slightly higher against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by the yuan's stabilisation after the People's Bank of China decided against cutting rates earlier this week