'Like' It or Not: How Social Media Fuels Anxiety in Kids
Musicology Lab
4 min read
One Solution: Musicology Lab's Making Melodies an Anxiety Remedy
FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 5, 2023 / Scrolling, snapping, streaming. For kids today, screens are a ubiquitous part of life. But excessive screen time may have serious consequences for children's mental health.
Recent research reveals a startling rise in anxiety among America's youth. According to the National Survey of Children's Health, anxiety disorders among kids ages 3-17 jumped 20% between 2007 and 2012. The American Psychological Association notes the prevalence may be even higher today.
While the causes are complex, a growing body of research implicates screen overuse. A major study in Preventive Medicine Reports found adolescents who spend over 7 hours per day on screens are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression as those using 1 hour per day.
For preschoolers, the impact may be even more profound. According to pediatricians, children ages 2-5 should have no more than 1 hour of screen time per day. Yet a Common Sense Media study found children 8 and under average over 2.5 hours of screen time daily, with 43% exceeding the 1 hour limit. Excessive media use has been linked to sleep troubles, obesity, behavioral issues, and impaired cognitive development among young kids.
The rise of smartphones and tablets means screens are now ubiquitous fixtures of family life. For busy parents, handing a fussy toddler an iPad at the doctor's office or relying on YouTube to entertain the kids after school can seem like an easy fix. But some experts say digital devices have become an unhealthy "security blanket" for children.
Indeed, research suggests activities that engage the mind, body, and senses can powerfully counterbalance the lure of screens. A new study in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports found musical training significantly reduces anxiety and depression in adolescents. Students with musical education were less likely to use screens and social media excessively compared to their non-musical peers.
"Playing an instrument involves constant responding and feedback between the brain's sensory, cognitive, and motor circuits," explains Zoë Madewell, a music teacher and founder of Musicology Lab. "This strengthens connections between different regions of the brain." Madewell says the effects are particularly pronounced when music training begins early. "By introducing preschoolers to musical concepts and live music-making, we can help shape their neural networks at a critical time to develop skills for self-regulation."
While research on music's impact is still emerging, there are clues it may have unique therapeutic properties for anxious kids. A 2013 study found group drumming led to lower stress hormone levels and improved social-emotional skills in children in foster care. Neuroimaging studies show musical activities activate brain regions involved in emotions and reward, while strengthening prefrontal cortex networks implicated in hyperactivity and attention deficits.
With anxiety rising among children, Madewell believes school music programs are more vital than ever. But she notes many public schools are cutting music education due to lack of funding. "That's why we started Musicology Lab, to make music accessible for any child. Our preschool piano classes integrate singing, to nourish creativity and confidence."
Madewell's passion stems from personal experience. The eldest of ten siblings, she found music a refuge from her own childhood challenges. Now her organization brings affordable music literacy programs to eager children. "I've seen firsthand how music can change kids' lives by giving them a positive outlet and sense of belonging." For parents concerned about their children's screen habits, Madewell has simple advice: Engage their hands, feet, imaginations and voices. Turn off the TV and turn on the tunes.
"Music awakens all the senses in a way that screens can't," says Madewell. "When kids gather drums and shakers and raise their voices together, it connects them deeply to their bodies and spirits." And that connection may be just what anxious minds need to find calm.
ABOUT MUSICOLOGY LABS
Musicology Lab Preschool Piano Program is the world's premier provider of music-based language education for children 18 months thru age 12. With a pioneering approach, their mission is to harness the undeniable power of music to accelerate a child's journey into learning a second language. Created by certified Suzuki Method instructor and music educator Zoë Madewell, the program is backed by 30 years of research. Currently in schools in Dallas and Dubai, it is now being offered to parents and schools worldwide as Musicology works passionately to revolutionize the way music and language are taught. For more information, visit http://www.preschoolpiano.com. For additional information, visit Musicology Labs on Facebook.
