Sugarman

Sugarman is a song by Sixto Rodriguez describing the dependence on a drug dealer. Rodriguez is the central feature in an interesting focus of a documentary titled Waiting for Sugarman about Rodriguez’s life as a two-album sensation and worth your time. He was not an addict, but wrote songs about the disadvantages.

I happened to think of Rodriguez’s song when I decided to write about the topic of watching a local television news story on electronic screen syndrome. We have supplied our grandkids with devices and some would argue that we are encouraging the development of destructive habits.

I would like to think I follow the science on issues such as the impact of screen time. This is an important issue on which I have a personal opinion, but I know that others take a completely opposite view. I can make the case that even young children can use technology in an active way. My young granddaughter handles an iPad with ease, problem solves when something does not go as she expects, and here is adding farm animals to a barnyard scene. However, some argue that staring at a screen whether involved actively or not, can have adverse affects on brain development. If you can point me to research publications, I would appreciate the chance to read the studies.