PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Bill Knappenberger

Do you have all the latest techno-gadgets for yourself and your children?

MANY OF THESE are really transformative to our lifestyles, but not always in healthy ways – especially when children are the users.  Cell phones, computers, and MP3 players are considered indispensable by many adults and youth today.

Cell phones have revolutionized our ability as parents to stay in touch with and even track the activity of our kids multiple times during their time away from us.  This gives a sense of security and comfort in the knowledge that they are safe.  Unfortunately, I find it common that kids are using them at all hours of the night (the “minutes are FREE” concept makes it seem almost sensible to the child!).

It is essential for teens to feel connected with their friends and acquaintances, and what better way to stay in touch than a cell phone in their rooms overnight?  You never know when a “true friend” will have a “crisis” that needs to be discussed at length in the late night hours!  Of course, boy and girlfriends will spend any available time on the phone that their parents will allow.  Unfortunately, parents often don’t discover such “phone overtime” until the grades start to fall from lack of sleep.

Microwave Radiation
I also have concerns about the amount of microwave radiation being emitted by the cell phone held closely to the head of a young person who is likely to have massive lifetime exposure to it.  There have been some unsubstantiated reports of a possible link between the development of acoustic neuroma (a tumor of the auditory nerve) and cell phone use.

CELL PHONES have revolutionized our ability as parents to stay in touch with, and even track the activity of, our kids multiple times during their time away from us. Unfortunately, this unfettered communications can also work aganist us.

This has been in adults who could not have had anywhere near the “dose” of cell phone exposure that our children will see in their lifetimes.  It is possible that the new Bluetooth earpieces or the use of the “speaker” setting will lessen the potential cumulative impact.

It’s highly likely that you’re footing the bill, so take the time to check on cell phone usage patterns.  With cell phones it isn’t otherwise evident that calls are being made and received at odd and all hours of the day and night.  It used to be necessary to waken the whole family by ringing the home phone, so parents could intercept the calls and chasten the caller!  Now simple on-line review of vendor accounts reveals important information about use and affords the opportunity for counseling and discipline if necessary.

Kids are also overusing the computer by becoming addicted to the lure of “instant messaging.”  Once again, they feel that they can’t be left out of the latest “drama” on the junior high or high school campus.  Communication via My Space and Facebook has created an entirely new and different social paradigm.  Time spent with frequent log-ons and updating of sites, falsification of age and profile elements and unfettered opportunity to “cyber-bully” are negative attributes of these sites of which parents should be aware and monitor.

Cyber-Bullies Taunt and Demean
“Cyber-bullying” occurs when one child decides to taunt, demean, threaten, harass, or create rumors about another student via the computer.  This has become the method of choice for bullying, especially for girls.  It doesn’t require face to face aggression, but leaves the victim humiliated, even during the evening hours when they are supposed to be able to be at home enjoying the love and support of their families.  The time during which we (as children) were able to heal our emotional wounds and make sense of our school-day social interactions with constructive communication with and the help of our parents has become, for children today, invaded by predatory behavior from cyber-enabled bullies among their classmates.

Considerations for Parents
So parents, please consider the following regarding your child’s computer time and use:

• Remember to limit the kids’ access to the computer in the evenings!  When they are doing homework, make sure that they aren’t constantly interrupted by “instant messages” and e-mail alerts that are not only distracting, but potentially anxiety- provoking.
• Be sure you review the content of their e-mails and “My Space” pages – at least by doing spot-checks if nothing else.  Just to keep them honest, ask for access at unannounced times.
• Watch for warning signs that they are becoming too agitated or obsessive about computer time.
• If necessary, install a “Net Nanny” type of program to allow you to review their online behavior.
• Keep the computer out of their rooms and in a place where you can occasionally look over their shoulders to be sure that inappropriate content isn’t present.

Does your child have an MP3 player?  Remember that the earpieces allow them to listen to volumes that are much higher than is safe for their hearing!  There is presently an epidemic of early hearing loss in young adults exposed to high decibel sound for too many hours during their youth.  When we were kids, our parents would pound on the door and shout to us to “TURN DOWN THE VOLUME,” and we had to comply!

CYBER-BULLYING has become the method of choice for bullying, especially for girls. It doesn’t require face to face aggression, but leaves the victim humiliated.

Once again, technology is not our friend here.  Our kids are going deaf in front of us, and we don’t even know it.   Occasionally ask your child to give you one of their “earbuds” so you can check the volume yourself.  You may be shocked at the sound level!  I recently saw a young patient with tinnitus (ringing in the ear) on one side, accompanied by ear pain and some dizziness.  It turned out that was the ear where he had been wearing his single earpiece to play interactive “shooter” games on the internet.  When the cause of the problem became evident during the visit, he and his father came to an agreement to change things.

Technology is a blessing and a curse.  Please take steps to minimize the risk to your children so that they can reap the benefits of our new tech gadgets without the potential risks.  It isn’t easy, but try to stay at least one step ahead of them.  They’ll roll their eyes and groan, but they’ll thank you for it later.

Dr. Knappenberger is the Medical Director of Children’s Medical Services for Brevard County. He received his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry before attending medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his Pediatric training at the University of Florida before moving to the Space Coast. He is actively involved in the community and has received numerous commendations including Child Advocate of the Year. Dr. Knappenberger has served as a member of the Brevard County Child Protection team, which evaluates children suspected of being abused or neglected.

Related posts:

1. How To Inspire the Best Conduct From Your Children
2. Children’s Medical Services Program
3. Bright Star Assists Grieving Children