Excessive internet and computer use can negatively impact child development. Prolonged screen time can inhibit the left prefrontal cortex and weaken communication between brain hemispheres. This can impair logical thinking and cause learning problems. Too much exposure may also lead to addiction, aggression, isolation, poor school performance and health issues like obesity. However, in moderation video games can have benefits like improving problem-solving skills. The effects depend on factors like age of first exposure, time spent online, supervision level, and type of content viewed. Moderation and parental guidance are important to maximize benefits and reduce risks to young brains.

1. INTERNET IMPACT ON CHILD AND
ADOLESCENT BRAIN
Dr. Raluca Ionescu, specialist in pediatric psychiatry,
Titan Psychiatry Hospital “Dr. Constantin Gorgos”

2.  TV, computer, internet and video games have become a
very handy substitute for the rest of educational and
recreational activities, the latter being now abandoned by
children.
 Watching television, surfing the net or playing computer
games today are part of the daily routine.
 Most children get acquainted with them long before
going to school, spending many hours with such
activities, to the detriment of others.
 Prolonged exposure to systematic and direct and indirect
effects of PC-TV and internet have an overwhelming
effect on the human mind and life.

3.  What is the impact of TV and computer use on the
minds of children?
 Computer is good or bad for children and youth?
 The impact of TV and computer on the lives and
development of children depends on several factors:
how much time they spend in front of the screen, their
age and their personality, whether if they do it alone or
with an adult, if one of the parents talked to him about
what they watch or about the dangers they expose
themselves using the Internet.

4. EFFECTS ON DEVELOPMNT OF
CEREBRAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
 When we are in front of PC we are disconnected of the
outside world by images that succeed each other
rapidly.
 Depending on the time and the age at which the children
are allowed access, the computer can cause severe
damages cortical development.
 During computer use, the screen, like that of TV, inhibits
the activity of the left hemisphere of the prefrontal cortex
and weakens the inter-hemispheric communication
performed by the corpus callosum bridge.
 Functions that coordinates two cerebral hemispheres in
cognitive acts are completely different.

5. HEMISPHERES FUNCTIONS

6. HEMISPHERES FUNCTIONS
 The right hemisphere governs processes involving global and
simultaneous perception, imagination, emotions, colors,
information processing as a whole, causing rather emotional
than rational responses.
 The left hemisphere handles linear processes, analytical and
successive. It mediates logical thinking, deductive analysis
and synthesis. Analyzes and arranges the details in order (for
example, the concept of time or cause and effect). The left
hemisphere networks depends on good grasp of grammar,
putting words in the phrase (syntax).
 Inter-hemisphere poor development of the deck is one of the
main causes of low intellectual capacity in many of today's
youth, and of the appearance of learning and attention
problems.

7. IMPACT OF WATCHING PC SCREEN
 The image on the PC screen induce a hypnotic state,
pushing the brain in a state of alpha waves, undermining
simultaneously cerebral beta rhythm that characterizes
logical thinking and analytical processes.
 When we use the PC for a process that requires thought,
the brain must make a much greater effort than usual in
order to overcome the inertia introduced by hypnotic
images on the screen.

8. IMPACT OF WATCHING PC SCREEN
 Watching generate alpha waves while active thinking asks for beta
waves. It determines that when we are in front of the PC, thought to
become a much more difficult process carried on with a much higher
energy consumption, and the risk of nervous exhaustion of the brain
much faster.
 PC games increase dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter
that moderates attention. If there's something that interests us very
much, then it increases the level of dopamine.
 There are substances or behaviors that greatly increase dopamine
levels and addictive euphoria, but gradually they lead to
demotivation and eventually to depression.
 To large waves of dopamine, the brain adapts destroying the
receptors.

9. CONSEQUENCES OF INTERNET USE AND PC GAMES
ON CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT :
 Negative effects can be felt strongly by those who play
frequently and for a very long time.
 That is why, as a first negative effect of video games, it is
necessary to think of addiction in general.
 Players do not want to stop until they get some of the
"rewards" set. When it comes to addiction, children spent
countless hours with PC games, not having a normal schedule,
but one built according to video games. In this context it
appears conducive to the assimilation of violent behavior.

10. INTERNET AND PC GAMES ADDICTION
SYMPTOMS
 lifestyle changes in order to spend as much time on the net
 decreased physical activity
 lack of interest in their own health
 giving up important activities to stay longer on the net
 sleep deprivation or sleep rhythm changes, for the same
purpose
 the sharp decrease in social activity, resulting in alienation and
withdrawal
 gradual neglect of family
 desire to spend more time online
 neglecting school and personal obligations

11. CONSEQUENCES OF INTERNET AND PC GAMES ON
CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT
 Video games in which children see shooters, shots, all
kinds of weapons and even murders, can lead to onset of
aggressive behavior.
 Become less sensitive to violence in real life
 Decreases the motivation to intervene, if it imposes, in
actions aimed at reducing violence
 May, in time, conduct both to disorders and health
problems
 Can become very isolated
 Not perform well in school
 Can become influenced by the "false reality" of games

12. CONSEQUENCES OF INTERNET AND PC
GAMES ON CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT
In time, children may have health problems such as:
 Overweight
 Disorders related to joints, muscles, bones
 Visual disturbances
 Sleep disorders
 Predisposition to the development of depression and
states of anxiety

13. CONSEQUENCES OF INTERNET AND PC
GAMES ON CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT
 decreased motivation, decreased attention, boredom
 depression
 addiction
 desensitization, lack of compassion
 overstimulation
 erosion of relationships with parents and friends
 isolation
 social shyness
 immaturity
 lack of emotion control
 hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
 cortex lesions
 behavioral changes

14. PC GAMES (ALSO) HAVE
POSITIVE ISSUES
 Familiarizing themselves with the technology and the online
universe in a funny way
 Learn to follow instructions
 It is used to think logically and solve problems
 Learn to achieve resource planning / logistics
 Learn to perform multiple tasks and meet several objectives
 Video games can improve their ability to make decisions
 Improve their hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills or
ability to orient in space
 Become more interested in history and culture in general

15. OTHER POSITIVE ISSUES OF PC GAMES
 Can help increase self-esteem.
 They will be able to translate their knowledge and skills
in everyday life, and so solving their own problems, and
helping others to resolve theirs.
 Can help children become more creative.
 They can help children to have fun, to change the mood.
 Reduces anxiety and helps them to be more relaxed.
 Give children the opportunity to be leaders.

16. DISCUSSION
The impact of the internet and video games on child
brain depends on:
 The age at which the child is exposed to the Internet
 The amount of time spent in front of the screen
 The activity, the game played
 Whether the child is supervised or not

17. THANK YOU!