Screen Time Linked with Depression

Article By Markham Heid

 

In the article “There’s Worrying New Research About Kids’ Screen Time and Their Mental Health,” Markham Heid discusses recent research on the consequences of our screen-filled society. One study cited concluded that children and teens ages 2 to 17 who have over seven hours of daily screen time are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety than those who spend under an hour a day in front of screens.  Other results of extended screen time include being more easily distracted, more emotionally unstable, and having difficulty interacting with peers. Conversely, young people who spend time engaging in non-screen activities tend to be more happy than those who spend time on devices, especially smartphones.

 

Help your children reduce their screen time by encouraging them to engage in activities such as sports, time outdoors, reading, and face-to-face interaction with their peers!

 

Read the full Time Magazine article here:

https://time.com/5437607/smartphones-teens-mental-health/

 

Citation

Heid, Markham. “There’s Worrying New Research About Kids’ Screen Time and Their Mental Health.” Time Magazine, 2018, time.com/5437607/smartphones-teens-mental-health