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How Science and Art Can Guide Parents
and Educators to Use Technology in a Healthy and Educational Way
Screens are everywhere,
but what do they really mean for our children? Discover how to balance
technology and well-being to raise a conscious and creative generation.
We live in a world where
screens are ubiquitous: smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs are part of
children’s daily lives. But what does science tell us about the effects of this
exposure? Recent studies from Harvard University (2024) show that moderate
screen use can support learning, but excessive exposure is linked to issues
like anxiety, attention difficulties, and disrupted sleep. For parents and
educators, the challenge is not to ban technology but to use it wisely.
Teaching children to navigate this digital universe with balance is essential
for their healthy development. The good news? We can turn screens into allies,
as long as we know how.
Motivational Quote: “Technology is a tool, not a
master.” – Steve Jobs
Prolonged screen exposure
can impact the developing brain. Research from the University of Cambridge
(2023) reveals that children aged 2 to 5 who spend more than two hours daily in
front of screens are at higher risk of delays in language and social skills.
This happens because excessive visual stimuli can overload the prefrontal
cortex, responsible for self-regulation and decision-making. However, not all
is negative. Educational apps and interactive games, when used in moderation,
can stimulate creativity and logical reasoning. The key lies in balance and
content quality. Inspired by this duality, Antônio Carlos dos Santos wrote the
play The Day the Vipers, Through Screens, Enslaved the Little Owls, a
theatrical fable that warns about the dangers of uncontrolled technology use,
such as cyberbullying and digital manipulation, while promoting education for
digital citizenship.
Curiosity Box:
Did You Know?
Children who use screens before bedtime are 30% more likely to suffer from
insomnia, according to a study from Stanford University (2024). Limiting
nighttime use can improve sleep quality!
To address these
challenges, Santos developed methodologies that integrate theater and
education. The Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (MBPT) is one of them,
using puppets to teach children about responsible technology use. In a school
in Belo Horizonte, MBPT presented a play based on the fable of the little owls,
where puppets explained the risks of social media in a fun way. The children,
delighted, discussed how to avoid digital traps, like fake profiles. A study
from Yale University (2024) confirms that theatrical activities increase
information retention by 25%, especially when they involve engaging narratives.
TBMB transforms learning into a memorable experience, encouraging children to
reflect on their digital choices.
Practical Tip:
Organize a theater session with your family or school, inspired by MBPT.
Use puppets to tell a story about safe internet use and discuss with the
children what they learned. Read excerpts from Santos’s play to enrich the
conversation.
The MAT – Mindset,
Action, and Theater methodology is also a powerful tool. It combines
theater with growth mindset theories, helping children develop a healthy
relationship with technology. In a workshop in Rio de Janeiro, children aged 8
to 12 created characters facing digital dilemmas, such as resisting social
media pressure. The process helped them recognize the importance of digital
breaks and value face-to-face interactions. Studies from the University of
Oxford (2024) show that creative activities like MAT strengthen
emotional self-regulation, reducing the negative impact of excessive screen
use. Santos, with his play, reinforces this message, using Socrates’ philosophy
to remind us that education is the key to sustainable technology use.
Inspiring Story:
Common Sense Media, the Voice for Digital Education
Founded by Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media educates parents and children about
responsible technology use. With guides and resources, it has impacted millions
of families, showing that balancing screens and well-being is possible. Steyer
started with a simple mission: empower children to be conscious digital
citizens.
The impact of screens on
mental health is another concern. A study from the University of Toronto (2024)
found that teenagers exposed to more than four hours of social media daily are
20% more likely to report depression symptoms, due to social comparison and
cyberbullying. Santos’s play addresses this directly, with vipers manipulating
the little owls through screens, symbolizing the dangers of cyber-violence. His
ThM – Theater Movement methodology complements this narrative, using
physical theater to teach children to express emotions without relying on
devices. In a project in São Paulo, ThM helped youth create
choreographies about “digital disconnection,” promoting self-esteem and
reducing anxiety linked to social media.
Curiosity Box:
Did You Know?
A child’s brain processes screens differently from an adult’s, being more
sensitive to rapid stimuli. That’s why regular breaks are essential! (Source:
University of Cambridge, 2023)
Digital education must
start early. Research from Stanford University (2024) suggests that children
who receive guidance on online safety before age 10 are 40% less likely to
experience cyberbullying. Santos, in his book Screens? Only with Health!,
reinforces this idea, offering practical tips for parents and educators. He
suggests, for example, creating “screen-free zones” at home, such as during
meals. In an initiative in Recife, teachers used MBPT to teach elementary
school children about online privacy, resulting in a 15% reduction in cases of
improper information sharing, according to the school. Art, as Santos
demonstrates, is a powerful tool for translating complex concepts into
accessible lessons.
Practical Tip:
Establish a weekly “screen-free day” at home. Replace screen time with
activities like reading, board games, or a walk outdoors. Use Screens? Only
with Health! as a guide to plan these breaks.
Neuroscience provides
critical insights on the topic. Studies from the University of Melbourne (2024)
show that balanced screen use activates brain areas linked to creativity, but
excess can inhibit neural plasticity, essential for learning. Santos’s play,
with its reference to the Allegory of the Cave, reminds us that screens can be
illusory shadows if not used purposefully. In a project in Brasília, MAT
was used to help children create stories about “screen-free lives,” stimulating
imagination and reducing digital dependency. These theatrical activities, according
to research, enhance memory and empathy, allowing children to connect better
with the real world.
Motivational Quote:
“Screens can connect us, but only the heart makes us live.” – Antônio Carlos
dos Santos
Social interaction is
another aspect affected by screens. A study from the University of Chicago
(2024) indicates that children who spend less time on devices and more time in
face-to-face play develop better communication skills. Santos addresses this in
his play, showing how the little owls, hypnotized by screens, lose their
freedom. ThM helps reverse this scenario, encouraging bodily movement
as a form of expression. In a school in Fortaleza, children participating in ThM
created a performance about friendship, reducing conflicts related to social
media misunderstandings. Art, combined with science, reconnects children with
the power of human relationships.
Inspiring Story:
Arianna Huffington and the Movement for Digital Well-Being
After experiencing burnout, Arianna Huffington founded Thrive Global, an
initiative promoting digital well-being. Its programs teach children and
families to set healthy boundaries with technology, inspiring a balance that
values mental health and real connections.
Ultimately, teaching
children to use screens healthily is an act of love and responsibility. The
play The Day the Vipers, Through Screens, Enslaved the Little Owls and
Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s methodologies show that art can light the way.
Every break, every conversation, every moment away from screens is an
opportunity to build a more conscious, creative, and connected generation. As
parents, educators, and society, we have the power to transform technology into
a tool for growth, not limitation. Let us guide our children with wisdom,
inspiring them to find balance and live fully, both on and off screens.
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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