[Psychophysiological indicators for children using mobile phones. Communication 2. Results of four-year monitoring]

Area of Science:

• Child psychology
• Neuroscience
• Developmental pediatrics

Background:

• The widespread adoption of mobile communication devices among children necessitates an investigation into their potential impact on cognitive and physiological development.
• Understanding the long-term effects of early and extensive mobile phone usage is crucial for child health and educational outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a four-year longitudinal study monitoring the psychophysiological indicators of children aged 7 to 12 years.
• To compare the psychophysiological development of children who use mobile communication devices with a control group.

Main Methods:

• Complex diagnostics of psychophysiological indicators were performed over four years.
• A cohort of 196 children (7-12 years old) was monitored, including 147 mobile communication users (test group) and 49 non-users (control group).

Main Results:

• Child mobile phone users exhibited an increased incidence of phonemic perception disorders.
• A significant abatement of efficiency, reduced indicators for arbitrary and semantic memory, and increased fatigue were observed in the test group.
• A steady decline in psychophysiological parameters, from high values to below standard levels, was noted in child mobile users.

Conclusions:

• Mobile communication use in children aged 7-12 is associated with adverse psychophysiological changes, including cognitive impairments and increased fatigue.
• The findings suggest a detrimental effect of mobile phone usage on the developing minds and bodies of children.
• Further research and potential interventions are warranted to mitigate the negative impacts of early mobile device exposure.