{"id":2742,"date":"2011-03-10T10:16:09","date_gmt":"2011-03-10T15:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/?p=2742"},"modified":"2025-05-14T16:29:59","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T20:29:59","slug":"adhd-and-electronics-should-you-pull-the-plug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/adhd-and-electronics-should-you-pull-the-plug\/","title":{"rendered":"ADHD and Electronics: Should You Pull the Plug?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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For a long time I did not watch TV at all.<\/p>\n

Then I discovered Hulu and Netflix…<\/p>\n

Sometimes, I admit,\u00a0 I watch too much TV, especially during the winter months. I’ll even multitask – checking email and watching a show.<\/p>\n

Mostly, I watch TV as a way to relax and turn off my brain.<\/p>\n

Is this ok?<\/p>\n

Exploring an Opinion<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is the impact of electronic use by children and adults with ADHD?<\/p>\n

Last week Pierre de Villiers emailed me the comments below and asked me to respond. Since I thought my response would be of interest to many of you, with his permission, I decided to answer it in a public forum. While Pierre’s comments are about children, the issues he raises are also relevant for adults with ADHD.<\/p>\n

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I am of the opinion that screen time (computer games, play station, TV, I-Pod) is a large contributing factor that compounds the negatives in a child with ADHD and that cutting right back on screen time will automatically adjust many of the negatives and provide the child with opportunities to channel his behaviour and energy into positive and creative actions.<\/em><\/p>\n

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What Does The Evidence Say?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, the chicken and egg question. While Pierre did not assert this, I think it is important to point out that there is no evidence to suggest that electronic use causes ADHD.<\/p>\n

However, the research is clear that excessive electronic use does decrease a person’s ability to focus in other endeavors. A research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health concluded:<\/p>\n

“Extensive exposure to television and video games may promote development of brain systems that scan and shift attention at the expense of those that focus attention.”(Jensen, et al., 1997).<\/p>\n

Further, Dr. Amen in his book, Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the Six Types of ADD<\/em>, agrees.\u00a0 He notes that repeatedly engaging in no brain activities, such as TV, decreases a person’s ability to focus. The less you work it, the weaker it becomes.<\/p>\n

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What Does Electronics Provide?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being able to attend to activities can be quite a challenge for adults and children with ADHD. While excessive use of electronics does not cause ADHD, it can further compromise<\/strong> the ability of a person with ADHD to focus.<\/p>\n

But, wait.<\/p>\n

Deciding to stop using electronics or taking them away from your children isn’t the solution.<\/p>\n

As I noted in earlier article, Is The Use Of Electronic Media Stealing Your Time?<\/a>, the key to devising an appropriate solution will come from an understanding of the reasons for the overuse.<\/p>\n

Some of the common reasons that children and adults overuse electronics<\/strong> are:<\/p>\n