Dear Parents,
We have dozens of research studies showing the dangerous impact of television, video gaming and internet activity on the health of our children. In our school we frequently encounter the results of this “electronic addiction” which is making it difficult for the students to achieve. Here are just a few of the studies:
- Time on the electronics predicts loneliness, depression, anxiety, attention problems and aggression.
- Another study found sadness and suicidal activity on adolescents.
- More television viewing for children at 29 and 53 months correlated with attention problems at 10 years of age.
- More television at 30-33 months predicted more behavior problems at 5 years of age.
- More television time in middle school predicted more attention problems in late adolescence.
- Television viewing in the last 90 minutes before sleep resulted in sleep problems.
- Another study found that the negative impacts of violent media content predicted antisocial behavior, inattention and emotional distress among 2nd grade children.
- Heavy game usage predicted depression among adolescents and young adults.
- One study found that the impact of gaming created problems of academic performance in teens.
- The amount of screen time also predicts the obesity level of the children: the more screen time the more overweight.
- Finally, college students’ studies show that depression levels, hostility and social anxiety can be predicted by the amount of internet activity by the students.
Parents, we at Al Aqsa Islamic Academy look at your children as our children. We’re one family. We hope these studies will encourage you to evaluate your children’ screen habits.
Sincerely,
Abdur Rahman, Principal
