We tell ourselves we’re only going to get on our phones for a second and 30 minutes later we’re still on them. We give our children an iPad to entertain them and when we take it away, a huge meltdown follows. What’s happening? Why are we, and virtually everyone we know, so addicted to our devices?
Katie Singer, the author of “An Electronic Silent Spring,” explains what’s going on. She talks about the radiation and the infrastructure that supports our electronic habits. But she also does a deep dive into why we’ve become so dependent on our laptops, computers, and phones. And she gives us practical tools (such as setting an egg timer and turning off wifi) to help us extricate ourselves from our attachment to them.
Notes:
Highlights from the conversation include:
- A review of regulations for cell phone towers and radiation standards
- How the effects of cell phone were determined in the 1990s by tests run on a “dummy” that had the phone to his “ear” for 6 minutes
- How regulators were only looking at immediate thermal effects
- The effects of chronic electronic device use on children
- How to tell if you are addicted to your mobile device
- How to reduce time on our devices
- The biological effects of radiation from cell phones and antennas
- How the frequencies required to operate a mobile device activate the brain’s pleasure center
- Seven questions to help you identify addiction
- How a province in China has implemented a program to improve myopia in children by limiting screen time
- The recommendations of a child psychologist to reset your child’s brain—these include a 2-week fast from electronics and turning off wifi at night
- DIY measures we can take to reduce dangers of exposure to radiation
- How interactive screen time is more hazardous for children than passive screen time
- How it’s not the content but the time in front of the screen that affects our brains and bodies
Resources:
Telecommunication Act by Congress 1996
Katie Singer : An Electronic Spring – https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Silent-Spring-Dangers-Creating/dp/1938685083
Cris Rowan – Digital Dementia article – http://movingtolearn.ca/2013/digital-dementia-guidelines-for-educators-regarding-technology-use-in-school-settings
Dr Tori Jelter – “Calming Behaviors in children with Autism and ADHD”
Dr Victoria Dunkley- Reset Your Child’s Brain: a 4 week plan to end meltdowns, improve grades and social situations by reversing the effects of screen time
NOTE: This podcast will be available on January 20th at 6:00 a.m. ET.
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