“This circuit is overstimulated – it gets high. And that’s addiction.”

– Prof. Dr. Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt

In her talk, Prof. Teuchert-Noodt explains how digital media overstimulates the mesolimbic dopamine system, also known as the reward circuit in the brain. This system is evolutionarily designed for survival and motivation – but in children, it’s still immature and highly sensitive.

“This circuit is overstimulated – it gets high. And that’s addiction. You can’t just give a child a little bit of screen time. It doesn’t work. The child always wants more.”

Her main points include:

🧠 Screen time creates a drug-like effect
Children’s brains are not equipped to handle the constant dopamine stimulation from fast, flashing screen content. The effect is similar to that of stimulants – it produces a “high” that can become addictive.

📉 Early screen use disrupts brain development
Digital media replaces essential motor and sensory experiences, which are critical for proper brain maturation. Without movement, exploration, and real-world interaction, the brain’s architecture is weakened.

⚠️ Addiction starts early
Even short periods of screen exposure can kickstart long-term dependency, especially if introduced during sensitive developmental windows.

🚫 Fine motor skills suffer
Swiping and tapping don’t activate the fine motor circuits needed for learning. These underdeveloped areas weaken the neural networking necessary for thinking, memory, and creativity.