Recently a new book was published by the German psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer about the negative effects of digital media on children's development. According to Spitzer, digital media prevent children's motor skills, senses, and concentration from developing as they should. Peter Nikken, Professor on Parental Mediation in the Department of Media and Communication, was interviewed by NPO Radio 1 and RTL Nieuws about this new publication and gave his opinion on Spitzer's statements.
Although Prof. dr. Nikken agrees with some of Spizer's statements, he finds that there is no need for big concerns about the influence of screens on the development of children, as long as we approach children's media use consciously.
Prof. dr. Nikken stresses that although there are risks when media are used excessively, we also know that there are many benefits. Moreover, screens and devices have become an integrated part of society. “It is better to learn how to cope with that fact wisely.”
According to Prof. dr. Nikken, there are many apps and videos that are good for children. The webpages digidreumes.nl and mediasmarties.nl provide an overview of selected apps that parents can safely let their kids play with. “Because these kinds of apps require the child to make choices and do certain tasks, skills like decision making, speech, memory, and fantasy are being developed.
For the original (Dutch) articles, see below: