Relationship between excessive media and attention deficit disorder

Introduction

Attention deficit disorder is a mental condition, which is characterized by the inability to attentively focus on a given task, difficulty in organizing tasks, avoidance of tasks that entail the utilization of effort, and following through the stipulated tasks (Grohol, 1995). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention asserts that in the 21^st Century, more than 1 in every 10 kids reveals symptoms of ADHD. In addition, approximately 4.4% of adults depict symptoms of this condition ( Dewey, 2015).

Correlation between excessive media use and attention deficit disorder

             Dr. Christakis Drimitri, who is a professor at the Washington University in Seattle, affirms that the attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder is currently ten times more prevalent than it was twenty years ago. Despite ADHD being a genetic disorder, states Dr, Christakis, and given the fact that the genetic structure hasn’t changed in the given time frame, there is a high likelihood that the environmental elements are major contributors to the rise of the condition. Dr. Christakis and other experts believe that excessive media is one of the key contributors. The current research depicts that a lot of time spent on video games and watching television can increase the possibility of attention problems in young adults and children (cited in Doheny, 2010).

 Researcher Swing Edward, an Iowa State University graduate, did a comparison between participants (children of ages two years and above) who played video games or watched television for more than two hours daily and those who watched less. He found out that the participants who exceeded the “American Academy of Pediatrics” recommended time were 2.2 times highly likely to have attention issues ( Doheny, 2010).

It is no longer a secret that the internet brings about immense distractions. The news feeds found in social media such as facebook and twitter are unavoidable in the modern world. For example, an individual reports to work feeling productive. While in the middle of work, his or her friend sends a video of a cute little puppy pushing a cart. Immediately the person will stop working to view the video and other posts on facebook. The inability to focus on one thing in a given period is an sign of ADHD (Dewey, 2015).

Excessive use of media brings out the exact forms of behaviors, processes, and thoughts, which are revealed in ADHD.  Therefore, there is a strong link between utilization of excess media and attention deficit disorder. 

References

Doheny, K. (2010, July 5). Too much screen can threaten attention span. Retrieved from

https://consumer.healthday.com/kids-health-information-23/attention-deficit-disorder-

adhd-news-50/too-much-screen-time-can-threaten-attention-span-640801.html

Dewey, C. (2015, March 25). Is the internet giving us all ADHD? The Washington Post,

Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/03/25/is-

the-internet-giving-us-all-adhd/?utm_term=.d9e8514f2802

Grohol, J. M (1995). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An overview of ADHD in adults.

Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/disorders/adhd/