Should Ritalin be prescribed for children?

Elisa (No)

It is strange how public schools promote ‘drug free zones,’ but behind the scenes, they openly endorse giving Ritalin to children. Despite the awareness of side effects by the medical community, it is still a commonly prescribed drug in children. It is important to note that the scientific name for the drug used in Ritalin is methylphenidate, which is a stimulant that often leads to addiction. Even if Ritalin helps with focus, it doesn’t help students academically. Many studies have revealed that children on Ritalin have worse academic outcomes, so while the drug may calm students down and keep them quiet, it does not actually help them perform better. 

When students face issues focusing in the classroom, going to a drug first, rather than other factors like home or classroom environment, diet, or screen time, is simply misguided. In fact, one could argue it is ‘abusive to drug’ your kids for the sake of relief. Moreover, many kids who are being overmedicated coincidentally are often the poorest, and many of these children are as young as two to three years old! 

Ritalin has short-term effects such as agitation, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Many do not realize, however, that there are also dangerous long-term effects. It is important to remember that human brains do not fully develop and mature until the late teens or mid-twenties, so prescribing any psychiatric drugs, like Ritalin, can dangerously rewire the brain before it is fully developed.

Even doctors in the medical community warn against Ritalin use in children, claiming children are becoming like monsters or zombies, something ultimately more horrifying than a lack of focus in children. Likewise, it is quite careless and dangerous for the medical establishment to push on developing children. 

Maha (Yes) 

Ritalin (Methylphenidate) may be just the thing to help over 6 million children struggling with ADHD. This chronic disease robs the little ones of a thriving childhood as it creates inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. Childhood years are important for development as they set the foundation for learning, behavior, and health. They also shape children’s brains and capacity to interact socially and respond to daily challenges. 

With ADHD in the picture, children may not be able to develop like their non-ADHD peers. Therefore, they grow up struggling with low self-esteem, poor performance, and troubled relationships. And this may very well continue into their adulthood. Whether combined with behavior therapy or prescribed standalone, Ritalin can help children overcome the symptoms of ADHD to regain control over their lives. 

Ritalin improves their mental focus and attention while controlling behavioral impulses. It also strengthens children’s mental organizing and listening comprehension abilities. Moreover, in the long run, using Ritalin in children can reduce the risk of depression and conduct disorders. These problems usually go hand in hand with ADHD, causing more suffering to patients and their families if left untreated. 

Despite many studies confirming these benefits, parents may be swayed by older research indicating severe side effects. For instance, studies from over a decade show that children consuming ADHD medication experience slow growth. However, recent studies found no differences, and children didn’t show a lag in growth. The same applies to myths regarding ADHD medication and addiction. Because of these benefits, bodies like the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) recommend Ritalin as the first-choice drug for treating children aged five and above.