Digital Kids

Martin L. Kutscher, M.D. is a pediatric neurologist with more than 25 years' experience diagnosing and treating families affected by ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, LD, tics and other neurobehavioural disorders. He is the author of Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette's, Anxiety, and More!, ADHD - Living without Brakes and Children with Seizures, also published by JKP. He lives in New York, USA. Visit his website at www.KidsBehavioralNeurology.com.

1. Introduction. Part One: Problems with the Use of Digital Technology. 2. Psychological/learning effects of Internet use. 3. How does our attention system work? 4. "But mom, I can pay attention to more than one thing at a time!" The myth of "multi-tasking". 5. Screens interfere with developing voluntary attention. 6. Areas where digital learning does excel. 7. Summary of digital vs. print effects on learning. 8. Other psychological effects of the Internet. 9. Neurological effects of Internet abuse. 10. Physical effects of digital media use. Part Two: Problems with the Content of the Digital Technology. 11. Social Media. 12. Does pornography and other media exposure affect sexuality. 13. Does media exposure increase the risk of violent behavior? 14. Do violent videogames lead to violent behavior? 15. Does media effect substance use? 16. Resultant AAP (2013) recommendations regarding digital media. Part Three: Problems Regarding Specific Populations. 17. Very young children and screen time. 18. Children with ADHD and screen time. 19. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and screen time. Part Four: The Parental Role. 20. What kind of role model am I for my child? 21. How do I set limits for my child? Part Five: Setting Up the Rules: The Family Meeting and Agreement. 22. The family meeting. 23. The agreement. Part Six: Internet Addiction: The Far End of Internet Problems. 24. Internet problems cover a whole range of severity. 25. What is an addiction? 26. How does someone get addicted? 27. How common is Internet addiction? 28. Why is digital media so addicting? 29. What are particularly addicting Internet activities? 30. What personal traits are associated with Internet addiction? 31. How do we treat Internet addiction? Part Seven: Summary. 32. The recent explosion of digital technology and services. 33. The extent of screen time usage. 34. The parents' dilemma and role in setting limits. 35. Problems with the use of the Internet. 36. Problems with the content of the Internet. 37. Problems regarding specific populations. 38. The parental role. 39. Setting up the rules: the family meeting and agreement. 40. Internet addiction: The far end of Internet problems. References. Resources. About the authors.