What Are They?
Fidget spinners are small, toy-like objects that are quickly becoming all of the rage among young people worldwide. They are small enough to fit in one’s hand and are shaped somewhat like a pinwheel. It has three prongs that are held together by a circular central bearing in the middle, and one can spin it in many different ways between their fingers, and sometimes even make it fly off of the ground. On amazon, they are advertized as “stress relieving” devices, and are also described through advertisements as being helpful for those with ADHD, Autism, PTSD, and other conditions that would benefit from an assistive device designed to help with focus . Despite their described purpose, they are quickly becoming popular by many who do not suffer from attention deficits. The co-opting of fidget spinners from helpful tools to popular toys is problematic. Several controversies have arisen regarding this object because of it’s lack of supportive evidence, some of the dangers that it can cause, and it’s overall ability to cause distraction.
What’s The Point?
When it comes to those who struggle with selective attention, especially those with ADHD, it can be very helpful to either have something tactile to touch, or engage in repetitive movement. This is in order to find pleasure and concentration from the calmness that this touch and/or repetition brings. When those with ADHD are presented with something that requires tactile and kinesthetic participation, it can help trigger what is known as “hyperfocus” (Stevens, 1997). Hyperfocus is the idea that those with ADHD do not have an inability to focus in all situations. They just have an inconsistency to focus on things that are not stimulating and interesting to them, such as doing the dishes or their homework. Therefore there are things that those with ADHD can focus on for hours intensely (such as something on the computer or video games), and things such as fidgeting with something like a stress ball, can help trigger this intense focus.
The reason why things like the fidget spinner can then be helpful in many situations, is because people with ADHD and other kinds of attentional issues, can be very sensitive to things such as noises and movements. So when they have a specific thing to focus on, such as spinning the little pinwheel that is a fidget spinner, they are able to pay attention to what they really need to by being engaged and remaining stimulated at the same time. For example, using the spinner in class while listening to a teacher’s lecture. Although this can be found as annoying to others, as either a fidget spinner, the tapping of one’s foot, playing with one’s pen, and other forms of help with concentration, can be loud or just generally distracting, it is doing just the opposite to those that are using those tactics. By playing with these items they are not annoyed, but concentrated and calm.
The Craze
Because of the fun-nature of this device, the fidget spinner is becoming used by people who do not necessarily benefit from it. Due to this heightened desire to own one, it now comes in many different colors, metals, plastics, designs, and costs anywhere from $5-$200. The original purpose of the fidget spinner came with good intentions. It is not very loud, it is small, and there are truly very helpful qualities to it if one is in need of some sort of stress relief and/or help with selective attention. However, because of this widespread popularity among people who do not necessarily need them, as well as because of the distracting qualities that they can have to others, controversies have arisen.
Are They Dangerous?
One of the main controversies that has come about because of the growth of this product, is the question of whether or not they are even safe to use. There in fact, have been instances of people hurting themselves with a fidget spinner. For example, a young girl in Syracuse, NY spun a metal fidget spinner and put it in her mouth, knocking out her tooth. 1 A story has also come out involving a 10 year-old girl who was supposedly cleaning the spinner, and swallowed the centerpiece of the item, choking on it and having to go to the emergency room.2 Another story from Australia also revealed a child getting very injured by having a fidget spinner fly into their eye.3 Because not all of these items come with age warnings, it is important that parents really do take notice of the material of the fidget spinner, if letting their children get one.
Are They More of a Distraction Than Helpful?
Another issue that has come about because of the fidget spinner craze, is that they can be distracting for those who are using them, as well as just those who are around others who are using them. People using them who do not necessarily need them for attention are getting distracted by them, rather than getting a sense of relaxation and focus from the device. Those that are using the fidget spinner for help with their focus and selective attention can also potentially distract other students with the slight noise that the spinning bearing makes, the movement of their hands, and the novelty of making others want to play with it.
Where’s the Proof?
Another drawback of the fidget spinner is that there are no independent studies showing significant evidence one way or the other as to validity of the marketing claims that fidget spinners are “therapeutic devices” meant to help with focus and stress relief. Their effectiveness has not been shown and many parents and teachers are actually seeing the opposite; These spinners are becoming significant sources of distraction and disrupting the learning process rather than helping it. Therefore there are no legitimate claims to present an argument as to why these devices are helpful or necessary and should be allowed in school settings. That said, for some, there is anecdotal support and they feel like they are helpful. Perhaps these devices if used properly could then be helpful tools and incorporated into a child’s coping plan. However, the fact that they are getting so popular and students without focus issues are drawn to them, makes the challenge of allowing them for some children, but not all children even more problematic. Ultimately, while there is evidence supporting the general helpfulness of allowing fidgeting to occur, and some tools like stress balls have been around for decades to help with soothing children, the claim that spinners help with focus has not been proven. For more insight see this reaction from a psychologist:
Banned From Schools
Because of the distracting nature of the these spinners, the potential dangers of their usage, and lack of proof that they even work, many schools are starting to ban them outright. Teachers argue both for and against the use of fidget spinners. However most schools, despite whether or not they believe they are effective for those with attention deficits, agree that they are having negative impacts on classroom management and are disruptive to the learning process. Luckily there are many similar, albeit less entertaining, solutions to helping individuals with their attentional issues and anxiety. Parents should consider substituting fidget spinners for other devices like a fidget cube, or a stress ball, as these can be helpful alternatives that are generally less disruptive.
Other helpful fidget products:
–Gaiam Kids Stay-N-Play Balance Ball
Finding a Balance
Here is some suggestions for parents whose children either have or have been begging for a fidget spinner. If your child is using a fidget spinner for focusing purposes, and it is helpful to them, then it may be best to designate specific times for your child to use their fidget spinner at home. For example, during homework time. However, if your child is using a fidget spinner as a toy, then it may be advisable to not allow the child to bring it to school and only use it at home. Parents and children need to aware of how their child is utilizing this “toy” and be mindful of the fact that it could be dangerous if used improperly. Some children have the maturity to not throw the spinner, or fling it at other people, but others do not. Parents need to educate their children about the potential dangers of misuse and monitor their children.
Alternatives
Although there are some drawbacks and dangers to it’s use, overall the fidget spinner is an innovative concept. There are many people who could benefit from a device that helps with attentions and stress-relief. Yet, the fidget spinner remains a toy and has not been validated with research.
Resources:
ABC Riverland By Catherine Heuzenroeder. (2017, May 10). Do fidget spinners have a place in the classroom? Retrieved May 22, 2017, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-10/does-the-fidget-spinner-craze-have-a-place-in-the-classroom/8514654
Kim, K. (2017, May 16). Do Fidget Spinners Belong in the Classroom? Teachers Are Divided. Retrieved May 22, 2017, from http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2017/05/do_fidget_spinners_belong_in_the_classroom.html
Martinelli, S. (2017, May 08). Syracuse 9-year-old using fidget spinner causes $2,000 in tooth damage: Your Stories. Retrieved May 22, 2017, from http://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/syracuse-9-year-old-using-fidget-spinner-causes-2000-in-tooth-damage-your-stories/708302119
Mussa, M. (2017, May 20). Fidget Spinner: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. Retrieved May 22, 2017, from http://heavy.com/news/2017/05/fidget-spinner-tricks-banned-injuries-adhd/
Stevens, S. H. (1997). Classroom success for the LD and ADHD child. Retrieved May 9, 2005, from http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/class_manage.html#anchor848364
Womack, T. W. (2017, May 12). Fidget spinners-tool or toy? Retrieved May 22, 2017, from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-05-fidget-spinnerstool-toy.html#jCp
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