Is fidget spinner beneficial for health? this is the medical world view

Everyone may be accustomed to doing one thing without realizing it when they are stressed, anxious, and anxious. Maybe someone is biting their nails, scribbling paper, playing with the ends of their hair, twirling a pen. Lately there are people who like to twirl fidget spinner in his spare time. The toy is mushrooming because of its claims which say it has many health benefits. What does the medical world say about this? Come on, find out the facts!

Toys sundries fidget spinner

Fidget spinner is a toy in the form of a disc pivot in the middle with two or three branches that can be rotated. The way this toy works is similar to a fan blades or a sewing thread spinner.

Some spinners have a lamp added so that it will emit flickering light when rotated, or bring up an image.

In Indonesia, the fidget spinner trend is relatively new. Starting from children to adults, many are fond of this one toy. However, fidget spinners have actually been a trend in the United States and Europe for a long time.

How to play fidget spinner

How to play this toy is very easy. You just need to pinch the middle with your thumb and forefinger. After that, rotate this tool using the middle finger of the other hand.

If you buy a quality spinner, snap it with your finger and it can spin for up to several minutes.

When it is in its "pro" stage, fidget spinner can even be played like a yo-yo. You can move the spinner from one finger to another. You can even throw it into the air to be recaptured while the spinner is still spinning.

Price of fidget spinner in the market

The prices offered for these toys vary. It depends on the model and quality of the materials used. Yes, these toys can be made of plastic, copper, titanium, stainless steel, metal, brass, and so on.

On internet sites or in stores, the price range for these toys ranges from 10,000 to millions of rupiah. The plastic spinner with the usual model has a cheaper price than the one that has been modified with various specifications.

Basically, the more unique the shape, the more expensive the price offered.

Facts claim the benefits of the fidget spinner

Many people look for fidget spinners because they might be curious at first. For some people, seeing these tools continue to rotate without stopping can even be a pleasure in itself.

So he said, not a few who claim to get a lot of benefits from this little toy. Of the many facts claiming the benefits of the fidget spinner, the four most frequently mentioned are:

1. Reducing stress and anxiety

Stress with piling up office work deadlines and endless personal problems? Now, some people choose to play the fidget spinner when under stress so they can refocus. Is it true that this toy is effective for getting rid of stress? Wait a minute.

When busy playing it, you may also indirectly empty your mind temporarily. You will tend to occupy yourself with moving your fingers to spin the spinner rather than dwelling on the source of your stress. Because, the brain will automatically shift its focus to do a new task over and over again.

However, no scientific research has yet proven that fidget spinners are effective for stress relief. So far, the health benefits of fidget spinners you hear come from the manufacturer or seller's "word of mouth" trick.

In fact, to ensure that this toy is truly beneficial for mental health, it must be based on evidence from scientific studies that have been tested. Therefore, the stress-relieving effects of playing these toys may not necessarily be flat for everyone.

This might work for you, but not for your next desk colleague. Some people need to be clearheaded and in complete silence in order to stay focused. While others are enthusiastic about working in a busy and noisy environment.

2. Therapy for children with autism

Some toys do exist that can help calm children with autism. Repetitive or restless behavior patterns are often seen in children with autism. That's why these children are often given toys that work the same way (over and over again) to take their minds off the stress that triggers the symptoms.

The fidget spinner is claimed to be one of the toys for children with autism because the rotation of the propeller can make them more comfortable and focused. However, there is no scientific evidence that the fidget spinner is beneficial for children with autism.

3. Keep your ADHD child focused

Some experts believe that fidget toys can help narrow and maintain the brain's focus on one thing in the long run. From this, the assumption that this toy works to provide new stimuli to the brain of children with ADHD so as to prevent relapse of hyperactivity.

In fact, dr. Mark Wolraich, a child behavior expert at the University of Oklahoma Center for Health Sciences, argues that playing spinners will divide a child's focus. Instead of focusing on just one thing, the brain works multitasking to balance coordination between eye and hand movements during playing toys.

“Things that have a recurring pattern will make it more difficult for ADHD kids to focus their attention. So, this toy might make the child's condition worse, "argued Wolraich, citing a study report in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association.

4. Honing fine motor skills

Summarizing the contents of a study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2018, fidget toys appear to be potentially beneficial for honing children's fine motor skills and control.

Playing fidget is believed to help train coordination between hand-eye movements. Because basically, this game requires constant cooperation between cognitive and motor brain functions. You need to be able to concentrate on continuing to rotate the toy, while your eyes are still watching, and your fingers are moving it.

Even so, it should be understood that the fidget toy was never intended as a medical device that aims to improve or maintain health. In addition, there are very few scientific studies that have actually examined the uses of these toys in the health sector.

You could say that the claim for the benefits of the existing fidget spinner is only packaged as a marketing strategy so that the product is in demand by many people.

The dangers of fidget spinners that need to be watched out for

Until now there has been no research that actually proves the benefits of this toy for health. However, the fidget spinner still has a lot of interest.

If you are a fan of this toy, you should first understand what the risks are that you may not have been aware of. Behind the small shape, this toy can cause dangerous side effects. Especially for children.

1. Interferes with learning

When the child is very fond of this toy, he will continue to play it anywhere. Including at school. In fact, playing fidget can dissolve children's concentration. When children have to study, they are busy turning their hands around to play.

As explained above, the focus of the brain will instead diverge during a child's play because without realizing it, he has to multitasking. Well, apart from using your hands, moving an object also requires eye focus to keep an eye on it so it doesn't stop suddenly. This is what then breaks the child's attention from what is being explained by the teacher in class.

He must be able to focus on studying. But at the same time, they also have to continue to balance the coordination between eye and hand movements to rotate the toy. All of these things require a brain that is not playing games. As a result, children are unable to focus and tire more quickly.

If allowed to continue, it will certainly interfere with children's learning time at school. In the United States, most schools have even banned students from carrying fidget spinners because they are considered to interfere with classroom teaching and learning activities.

As with children, adults can also be addicted to this toy. This toy addiction can make work unproductive. Especially if you can't manage your time well.

2. Risk of choking

You may be wondering why this toy can cause choking. In fact, this is not impossible. There is a risk of choking if the toy is accidentally released or broken, then swallowed and caught in the throat.

Choking is one of the leading causes of death among children. Especially for children under the age of three. On the page of the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is stated that coins, food and toys are the objects that have the most potential to cause choking. If not treated properly, this condition can lead to death.

Quoted from the CNN page, 10-year-old Britton Joniec from Houston, the United States had caused a commotion because she accidentally swallowed a fidget spinner component. This made it difficult for him to breathe until he was suffocating.

Fortunately, Britton was rescued by endoscopic surgery to remove a toy component that was stuck in the trunk of his esophagus.

Tips for safe playing the fidget spinner

If used wisely, this toy is indeed effective in warding off boredom. However, remember! Use this toy wisely. You don't want a toy designed for entertainment to hurt you or someone else.

So, in order to avoid the various dangers of fidget spinners as above, here are some surefire steps that you should pay attention to.

1. Don't give it to toddlers

These toys consist of small, easy-to-fit elements that are unsafe for use by children under the age of three.

Therefore, it is important for parents to provide safe toys to their children. Also make sure the toys you provide are age-appropriate. Physically, toddlers can play spinners. However, they will not benefit from the toy.

These toys are only considered safe for children over 12 years of age.

2. Buy good quality

There are several things you need to consider before buying fidget for children, including:

• Make sure there are no sharp edges on each side of the toy.
• Make sure that none of the layers of toy dye have peeled off.
• Ensure that any parts of the toy are not easily opened, removed, broken, or crushed by the child's hands.
• Make sure the toy doesn't have magnetic pieces that can easily come off.
• Make sure that none of the sections of wire are longer than 18 cm.
• Make sure the toys are made of material and are safe. Avoid toys that contain ingredients such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, phthalates, and other chemicals.
• Make sure the toy is strong enough so that it will last long.

Just remember that if a toy can molos through the hole in the tissue roll cardboard, then don't give it to small children.

Also, make sure that you buy this toy at a trusted store to make sure that the toy has passed the safety test. Do not immediately be tempted by cheap prices. Buy a toy whose quality is guaranteed, although you may have to spend more.

3. Always supervise children when they play

You who are adults can certainly guess which toys are dangerous and which are not. However, it is different with children. From the incident of Britton Joniec, we can learn that even a 10 year old child is still at risk of choking when playing the fidget spinner.

So, to avoid unwanted things, parents should always supervise their children when they are playing. Teach them how to play safely. Don't forget to stay around the child to make sure they are using the toy in the right way.

4. Don't be tempted by the jargon of "smart toys"

You also shouldn't be easily lulled by the "smart toys" that are now widely available on the market. As a parent, of course you want to provide toys that are useful and support the development of your baby.

However, be careful. Some of the toys that claim to be "smart toys" are not always good for children. On the contrary, these toys can actually turn off children's creativity.

It is better if parents provide toys that offer to help stimulate children's growth and creativity in the future.