In a time when children master screens before they can even walk, The Digital Cretin Factory by French neuroscientist Michel Desmurget stands out as a powerful call for reflection. Published in Brazil by Vestígio, the book presents compelling data on the effects of excessive screen use on child development and urges us to rethink how we are raising children in the digital age.

Drawing from dozens of scientific studies, Desmurget dismantles the myth that early exposure to technology makes kids smarter or better prepared for the future. On the contrary, he points out that for the first time in history, newer generations are showing lower IQs than those before them. And, according to him, the main reason is excessive screen time.

The author explains that the issue isn’t simply about limiting phones, tablets, or TVs. It goes deeper. Overexposure to digital content impacts attention span, affects sleep quality, weakens vocabulary, impairs memory, and lowers academic performance. Even so-called educational apps are questioned. For Desmurget, real child development depends on human interaction, free play, reading, and real-world discovery.

Throughout the book, the tone is firm and provocative. In many moments, Desmurget confronts parents, schools, and even governments that allow the digital world to invade childhood without limits. It’s not about condemning technology itself, but rather using it wisely and with awareness, respecting a child’s developmental rhythm.

The final message is clear: allowing young children to spend hours online means abandoning the role of active guides in their growth. Childhood is a unique and irreplaceable phase, and screen use must be managed with responsibility, knowledge, and care.

Essential reading for parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the future of younger generations, The Digital Cretin Factory not only offers criticism but a powerful call to change habits. Because caring for childhood also means protecting the brain, emotional well-being, and capacity to learn.