Cognitive Impact Levels Description
Cognitive Load Levels:
Upper Limit:
100
%
Lower Limit:
73
%
Description:
Apps at this level are those with severe negative impacts on cognitive and social functioning. They significantly impair attention, learning, and memory, and might lead to behavioural issues. Usage of these apps is often characterised by addiction-like symptoms.
Examples:
Extremely addictive gaming and social networking apps that encourage many hours of continuous daily engagement, apps that promote multitasking with rapid switching between tasks leading to decreased productivity and increased cognitive load.
Tips and recommendations on how to handle the cognitive impact of certain applications for specific age groups:
Age Group: 5 - 11 Years Old
1. Prohibit Use: Prohibit the use of severe impact apps.
2. Alternative Entertainment: Provide alternative forms of entertainment and learning.
3. Supervised Access: If use is necessary, ensure it is highly supervised and limited.
Age Group: 16 - 19 Years Old
1. Restricted Access: Restrict access to severe impact apps and provide clear guidelines.
2. Healthy Choices: Encourage making healthy choices about app usage.
3. Counseling: Consider counseling if excessive use is affecting mental health.
Age Group: 12 - 15 Years Old
1. Avoidance: Strongly discourage the use of severe impact apps.
2. Positive Substitutes: Find positive and engaging substitutes for screen time.
3. Parental Involvement: Increase parental involvement in monitoring and guiding app usage.
Age Group: 20+ Years Old
1. Awareness and Education: Educate about the risks and encourage self-regulation.
2. Professional Help: Seek professional help if severe impact app usage is problematic.
3. Healthy Boundaries: Establish and maintain healthy boundaries and usage limits.
Cognitive Load Levels:
Upper Limit:
72.5
%
Lower Limit:
61
%
Description:
These applications have substantial negative effects on cognitive functions, including decreased attention spans, disrupted sleep patterns due to prolonged use at night, and reduced face-to-face social interactions.
Examples:
Highly addictive video games and social media apps that encourage prolonged use, apps with constant notifications that disrupt ongoing tasks.
Tips and recommendations on how to handle the cognitive impact of certain applications for specific age groups:
Age Group: 5 - 11 Years Old
1. Strict Limits: Impose strict limits on daily screen time, ideally under 1 hour.
2. Content Supervision: Supervise content closely to ensure it is age-appropriate and educational.
3. Interactive Play: Encourage interactive and physical play to replace screen time.
Age Group: 16 - 19 Years Old
1. Set Usage Goals: Set specific goals and limits for app usage.
2. Encourage Offline Activities: Encourage activities that do not involve screens, such as sports or arts.
3. Digital Well-being: Promote digital well-being practices and awareness.
Age Group: 12 - 15 Years Old
1. Monitor Usage: Closely monitor app usage and screen time.
2. Promote Hobbies: Encourage hobbies and interests that do not involve screens.
3. Social Engagement: Foster real-world social engagement and activities.
Age Group: 20+ Years Old
1. Usage Audit: Conduct regular audits of app usage to ensure it is not excessive.
2. Healthy Alternatives: Find healthy alternatives to high-impact apps.
3. Mental Health: Pay attention to mental health and take breaks as needed.
Cognitive Load Levels:
Upper Limit:
60
%
Lower Limit:
46
%
Description:
Apps in this category begin to show more pronounced negative effects on cognitive functions such as reduced attention span and distractibility. However, impacts might still be managed with strict usage limits and parental controls.
Examples:
Mainstream social media platforms, competitive online games that can be distracting but also improve reaction times and strategic thinking.
Tips and recommendations on how to handle the cognitive impact of certain applications for specific age groups:
Age Group: 5 - 11 Years Old
1. Screen-Free Time: Designate specific times of the day as screen-free.
2. Interactive Learning: Choose apps that promote interactive and social learning.
3. Healthy Routine: Establish a daily routine that includes limited screen time and various activities.
Age Group: 16 - 19 Years Old
1. Educational Content: Encourage the use of educational content and limit entertainment apps.
2. Self-Monitoring: Promote self-monitoring tools to track and limit usage.
3. Alternative Activities: Encourage alternative activities such as reading or sports.
Age Group: 12 - 15 Years Old
1. Digital Literacy: Teach digital literacy and the importance of balanced screen use. 2. Limit Multitasking: Discourage multitasking with multiple screens to improve focus. 3. Family Activities: Plan family activities that do not involve screens.
Age Group: 20+ Years Old
1. Digital Detox: Schedule regular digital detox periods.
2. App Usage Review: Regularly review and assess app usage and its impact.
3. Healthy Boundaries: Set healthy boundaries for work and leisure screen time.
Cognitive Load Levels:
Upper Limit:
45
%
Lower Limit:
26
%
Description:
These applications have a slight negative impact on cognitive functions but may also offer some benefits. The negative effects are not significant and can be mitigated through controlled and mindful usage.
Examples:
Social media apps with educational content, productivity apps with built-in breaks and usage limits.
Tips and recommendations on how to handle the cognitive impact of certain applications for specific age groups:
Age Group: 5 - 11 Years Old
1. Scheduled Breaks: Implement regular breaks to avoid prolonged screen time.
2. Educational Games: Prefer educational and interactive games that promote learning.
3. Parental Controls: Use parental control features to monitor and limit usage.
Age Group: 16 - 19 Years Old
1. Productivity Focus: Encourage the use of productivity apps to aid in studies and personal growth.
2. Mindful Usage: Foster mindful usage habits and self-awareness regarding screen time.
3.Balanced Lifestyle: Ensure a balanced lifestyle that includes hobbies and social interactions.
Age Group: 12 - 15 Years Old
1. Screen Time Budget: Create a weekly screen time budget that includes educational and leisure activities.
2. Social Interaction: Encourage face-to-face interactions with friends and family.
3. Physical Activity: Promote physical activities to counterbalance screen time.
Age Group: 20+ Years Old
1. Efficiency Tools: Use apps that improve efficiency and productivity.
2. Scheduled Downtime: Schedule regular downtime to disconnect from screens.
3. Active Breaks: Take active breaks to stretch and move around during long screen sessions.
Cognitive Load Levels:
Upper Limit:
25
%
Lower Limit:
0
%
Description:
Apps at this level have either no noticeable negative cognitive impact or may even enhance cognitive abilities. These applications typically include educational tools, brain-training games, and apps designed to promote mental health and well-being.
Examples:
Educational apps that improve language skills, math-solving apps, meditation and mindfulness apps.
Tips and recommendations on how to handle the cognitive impact of certain applications for specific age groups:
Age Group: 5 - 11 Years Old
1. Encourage Educational Use: Promote apps that have educational content and limit use to 30 minutes per session.
2.Joint Screen Time: Engage in screen activities together to foster learning and interaction.
3. Outdoor Activities: Balance screen time with ample outdoor play and physical activities.
Age Group: 16 - 19 Years Old
1. Goal-Oriented Use: Set goals for app use, such as learning a new skill or completing an educational course.
2. Time Management: Teach time management skills to balance screen time with other responsibilities.
3. Healthy Habits: Encourage regular breaks and physical activities to maintain health.
Age Group: 12 - 15 Years Old
1. Educational Integration: Integrate app use with schoolwork and educational projects.
2. Tech-Free Zones: Establish tech-free zones, such as during meals and one hour before bedtime.
3. Creative Projects: Encourage the use of apps for creative projects like digital art or coding.
Age Group: 20+ Years Old
1. Purposeful Use: Use apps with clear objectives and benefits, such as learning or productivity.
2. Self-Regulation: Practice self-regulation techniques to avoid excessive use.
3. Work-Life Balance: Maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting limits on recreational screen time.