Doctors and paediatricians in the Basque Country warn of the serious risks posed by screens and ask not to have mobile phones in classrooms

In many homes in the Basque Country we hear expressions like this, standardizing the use of screens. But the reality is quite different in medical consultations. Health workers have spoken out strongly. Yes ,they do harm, and the early and uncontrolled use of these devices has serious consequences. 

All the Basque associations that bring together paediatricians from Hego Euskal Herria, together with Altxa Burua, have drafted and published a document entitled Digital Devices, Health and Development in Children and Adolescents, in which they call for the urgent adoption of coordinated institutional measures to curb uncontrolled digitization and support the neurodevelopment of minors.

Health experts have unanimously called for the education system to provide non-mobile school spaces, as well as for the design of digital plans consistent with scientific evidence, prioritizing paper media and active learning.

Reality in data

Nerea Trebolazabala , president of the Basque Society of Primary Care Paediatrics, said that "scientific travel has shown that prolonged exposure to screens has negative effects on physical, mental and child and adolescent health." 

Experts warn that excessive screen use, , on theone hand, refers to mental health: sleep disorders, anxiety. On the other hand, they warn that it can lead to obesity, vision problems and language delays . 

In their recent report, doctors warn that all of these problems exacerbate the social gap by interacting with the most vulnerable families with less supervisory capacity.

Up to two hours.

In order to reverse this situation, doctors are calling for screens to be banned before the age of six , for this use to be limited to less than an hour between the ages of seven and twelve, and for a maximum of two hours in adolescence. Experts have concluded that family mediation is not enough if the education system and institutions do not act in a coordinated manner to provide the first smartphone on the way to delaying age and ensuring healthy school environments.

Joseba Atxutegi The Council of Medical Colleges of the Basque Country\u00President stresses that doctors are key in advising parents and teachers, who are primarily responsible for how young people use screens.