The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics state infants aged 0-2 years should not have any exposure to technology, 3-5 years be restricted to one hour per day, and 6-18 years restricted to 2 hours per day (AAP 2001/13, CPS 2010). Children and youth use 4-5 times the recommended amount of technology, with serious and long-lasting consequences.

Following are 10 research-based reasons for this ban. Please read, share and have your say by signing the petition at change.org/banharmfultech.

1. Rapid brain growth — Between 0 and 2 years, infant brain triples in size, and continues in a state of rapid development to 21 years of age (Christakis 2011). Early brain development is determined by environmental stimuli, or lack thereof. Stimulation to a developing brain caused by overexposure to technologies (cell phones, internet, iPads, TV), has been shown to be associated with executive functioning and attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity and decreased ability to self-regulate, e.g. tantrums (Small 2008, Pagini 2010).
2. Delayed Development — Technology use restricts movement, which can result in delayed development. One in three children now enter school developmentally delayed, negatively impacting literacy and academic achievement (HELP EDI Maps 2013). Movement enhances attention and learning ability (Ratey 2008). Use of technology under the age of 12 years is detrimental to child development and learning (Rowan 2010).
3. Epidemic Obesity — TV and video game use correlates with increased obesity (Tremblay 2005). Technologies such as the internet, cell phones, video games, and television expose children to food marketing that promotes poor dietary habits (LeBlanc 2011). One in four Canadian, and one in three American children are obese (Tremblay 2011). 30% of children with obesity will develop diabetes, and obese individuals are at higher risk for early stroke and heart attack, gravely shortening life expectancy (Center for Disease Control, 2010). Continued use of television and video games in the Canadian adult population has shown 17% and 15% increased risk of death from all causes, and from cardiovascular disease, respectively (Biswas 2014).
4. Sleep Deprivation — 60% of parents do not supervise their child's technology use, and 75% of children are allowed technology in their bedrooms (Kaiser Foundation 2010). 75% of children aged 9 and 10 years are sleep-deprived to the extent that their grades are impacted (Boston College 2012). Technology use in children is associated with sleep disruption and insomnia (Chesley 2014). Sleep loss has been shown to adversely affect academic performance and contribute to obesity (Lumeng 2014).
5. Mental Illness — Technology overuse is implicated as a causal factor in rising rates of child depression, anxiety, attachment disorder, attention deficit, autism, bipolar disorder, psychosis and problematic child behavior (Bristol University 2010, Mentzoni 2011, Shin 2011, Liberatore 2011, Robinson 2008). One in six Canadian children have a diagnosed mental illness, many of whom are on dangerous psychotropic medication (Waddell 2007).
6. Aggression — Violent media content can cause child aggression (Anderson, 2007). Young children are increasingly exposed to and harmed by violence portrayed on TV, the internet, and in video games. Grand Theft Auto V portrays explicit sex, murder, rape, torture and mutilation, as do many movies and TV shows rated PG-13. The US has categorized media violence as a Public Health Risk due to its harmful effect on children (Huesmann 2007). 14.4% of boys aged 8-18 in one study were found to be addicted to video games (Gentile 2009).
7. Digital dementia — High speed media content can contribute to attention deficit, as well as decreased concentration and memory, due to the brain pruning neuronal tracks to the frontal cortex (Christakis 2011, Small 2008). Children who cannot pay attention cannot learn.
8. Addictions — As parents attach more to technology, they become less attached to their children. Parents who are "technologically attached" are often unaware of their children's addiction to technology (Rowan 2010). 11% of children aged 8-18 are addicted to technology (Gentile 2009).
9. Radiation emission — In May 2011, the World Health Organization classified cell phones (and other wireless devices) as a category 2B risk (possible carcinogen) due to radiation emission (WHO 2011). James McNamee of Health Canada in October 2011 stated "Children are more sensitive to a variety of agents than adults as their brains and immune systems are still developing, so caution is warranted." (CBC News, 2011). Benedict Bhathena reported "Children who use cell phones are at 5-fold increased risk for brain cancer" (Bhathena 2011).
10. Unsustainable — The ways in which children are raised and educated with technology are no longer sustainable (Rowan 2010). Children are our future, but there is no future for children who overuse technology. A team-based approach is necessary and urgent in order to counteract the devastating effects of technology on child development. Government, educators, parents, health professionals and technology production companies must work together to find solutions.