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A LEADING Spanish sleep expert has warned that parents are increasingly using screens as ‘digital babysitters’ and ‘electronic dummies’ for children as young as babies.
Dr Javier Albares is a specialist in neurophysiology, and a member of the Spanish Sleep Society. He made these alarming observations while promoting he new book. Generación Zombi (Zombie Generation).
He told Europa Press Health, “In Spain, there is a serious issue with screens and young people.”
“It’s not just amongst teenagers, but also young children, even toddlers – we see babies being given screens at meal times, used as digital babysitters or electronic pacifiers.”
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The neurophysiology expert argues that excessive screen time is damaging children during ‘critical stages of neurodevelopment and growth’, affecting their emotional, academic, physical and behavioural wellbeing.
He describes screens as ‘a silent, discreet drug that leaves no visible corpses’ and warns that for the first time in human history, a single addiction affects all ages equally.
Dr Albares identifies physical and mental health effects.
Screen time leads to overstimulation in the nervous system and emotional imbalance. Sedentary behavior increases risk of obesity and metabolic diseases.
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He says that heavy screen-users are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and bullying. They may even have suicidal ideas.
Perhaps most worryingly for parents, he claims excessive screen use is hampering children’s ability to form real, empathetic relationships – a crucial aspect of healthy development.
He says, “You can’t go back and get all the childhood that you lost.”
Experts’ recommendations will likely shock many families today.
According to him, children should not receive mobile phones before the age of 16 years, as per medical advice. This applies not only to phones, but also tablets, computers, and televisions.
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Currently, he observes Spanish teenagers using screens for seven to eight hours daily – far exceeding the recommended limit of under two hours.
Dr Albares is also a proponent of removing screens from classrooms, as they are argued to hinder learning, neurodevelopment and language skills.
He encourages families to develop plans of action to determine if their screen-use has become addictive or abusive, and to involve technology-addiction professionals where necessary.
The sleep specialist says parents should not use screen time as a punishment.
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It’s not punishment. We do it because we care. “Screens can affect sleep, mood or school performance,” explains the professor.
Instead, he recommends that parents lead by example and provide analogue toys as alternatives.
Experts believe that a legal regulation, similar to alcohol laws, is necessary to protect the health of children through screen-neutral policy.
He says that by enforcing bedtimes consistently, teens can experience a 25% reduction in depression and suicidal ideas.
Dr Albares, despite the worrying trends, remains optimistic that a change is possible.
He insists that entering the digital world later doesn’t harm children – instead it preserves childhood, allowing time for physical activity, reading, music, social interaction, family time and proper sleep.
“Many families are already escaping the Zombie Generation,” he says, noting that those who follow his action plan – detecting problems, assessing usage, reducing screen hours and adopting healthy habits – report better sleep, healthier lives and improved wellbeing across the whole family.
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