Parents love seeing the glow in their children’s eyes when they light up with joy. Sometimes it is just the radiant light of a smart device. According to child development experts, this can be a huge issue. 

Renowned Addiction Expert Dr. Nicholas Kardaras says a technology addiction is just as intense as drug addiction- and both are hard to kick without the proper help.

 He also believes addiction can start at a very young age. Research shows that 1 in 3 toddlers use smart devices before they can even speak. 

As these children get older, they also grow more attached to their devices and sometimes develop a full-blown addiction.

Here are a few signs that your child has an addiction to technology

• Your child experiences mood swings when they are not around their device.

• Your child has a lack of interest in other activities not on their device.

• Your child gets distracted and begs to use their device.

• Your child is experiencing withdrawal symptoms. 

Mood Swings and Lack of Interest  

As these children get older, they also grow more attached to their devices and sometimes develop a full-blown addiction.

Stand-out signs are your child becoming angry or violent when the device is taken away, failing in school, or refusing to eat and sleep.

These children feel as if they have to plug in to calm down or function properly. 

If your child does not want to participate in any activity not involving their device, such as playing outside, making arts-an-crafts, or even hanging out with friends, it may be time to combat the issue. 

Distractions and Withdrawals 

Children who are addicted to technology tend to get easily distracted from simple tasks. 

If a toddler’s tablet suddenly dies, they most likely will keep checking if the device is ready to use again rather than do another task. 

You will also witness your child go through a withdrawal if you suddenly remove their device. Symptoms include anxiety, stress, and an irritable temper. 

Long-Term Effects of Technology Addiction

A bad temper and lack of interest can be fixed, but according to Dr. Kardaras, technology addiction can have long-term effects. 

One effect is the lack of creativity and imagination. A child’s neuro synaptic muscles weaken over time when looking at a device. As images on their tablet or phone are ingrained in their mind, children no longer find the need to use their imagination. 

Sensory overload is another long-term effect of technology addiction because all of the information a device provides becomes overwhelming. 

Solutions to Break a Technology Addiction

Many issues start at home, but so do solutions. 

If you want to break your child’s addiction to technology, you have to make sure that you are not addicted yourself because they will naturally follow your lead. 

Rather than shaming your child for being overly attached, set time aside to spend quality time together. 

Another effective way to break the addiction is to make your child digital detox. A digital detox is often a 72-hour period without technology, which will allow your child to reconnect with people and their natural environment. 

Ending the detox is sometimes the most difficult part of the process. Before you do this, experts recommend that you set clear expectations and rules, as well as a limited screen time in the device’s settings. 

If you feel that this is not the right option for you and your child, you can always sell your tablet, smartphone, computer, or whatever else to a tech buy-back company. As a plus, you can invest the money you make into a class or hobby for your child. 

Regardless, there are positives of smart devices. For instance, they make for great entertainment and can boost a child’s desire to learn online. But no matter what, there should always be a healthy balance. 

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