PhD Defence Susan Buhrs

Keywords: Screen time, children, health, neuropsychology
 

"Exploring the relation between touch screen device use and health: Focusing on the neuropsychological functioning of 5 - 11-year-old children"

Nowadays, (young) children are intense users of digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Social concern about this theme is increasing, as there is still much uncertainty about the possible consequences of (high) screen time on health. This dissertation examines the relationship between the use of digital devices and the health of (young) children. In particular, focus has been put on components of neuropsychological functioning, but physical and mental health are also discussed. The results seem to indicate that the higher the intensity of digital devices use, the lower the neuropsychological functioning and the lower the overall health. In addition, this dissertation describes an experiment in which the relationship between radiation emitted by smartphones and a measure of heart function is investigated in one young adult. The results of this experiment indicate a possible relationship between the radiation in question and a reduction in heart rate variability. Concludingly, this dissertation emphasizes the importance of further research in this field. 

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