Tech-addicted kids at home? SHOCKING study reveals severe impacts – The Times of India
A recent study published in JAMA highlights a crucial insight for parents: It’s not how much time children spend on screens that impacts their mental health—it’s whether they’re addicted to them.
Screen Time vs. Screen Addiction: What Really Matters
For years, parents and teachers have worried about children spending too much time on phones, tablets, and video games. But new research suggests that the bigger concern isn’t screen time itself—it’s addictive behavior tied to screen use.
According to a four-year study involving over 4,000 U.S. children aged 9 to 10, time spent on digital devices was not directly linked to mental health problems. The study, published on June 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found no strong connection between the amount of screen time and issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Aggression
- Rule-breaking behavior
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Addiction: A Key Risk Factor for Mental Health Issues
What did matter was addiction to screen use.
Lead author Dr. Yunyu Xiao, assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, explained that addictive use refers to “excessive use that interferes with home responsibilities, schoolwork, or other activities. Kids crave the activity and can’t stop.”
Key Findings:
- Nearly 50% of children showed signs of addictive mobile phone use.
- Over 40% were classified as addicted to video games.
- Children with high or increasing addictive use of mobile phones and social media were 2 to 3 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts or behavior.
- Girls were more likely to show addictive social media use.
- Boys showed higher levels of addictive video game use.
Mental Health Risks Tied to Addictive Use
Children on a path of increasing or consistently high addiction levels had a higher risk of:
- Suicidal ideation and behavior
- Depression and anxiety symptoms
- Behavioral issues like aggression and rule-breaking
Even though the study relied on self-reported data and could not account for all genetic or environmental influences, the trend is alarming.
What Can Parents Do?
Rather than just counting screen hours, parents should:
- Monitor behavioral changes related to digital use
- Set healthy boundaries and encourage offline activities
- Talk to kids about their online experiences
- Seek help if a child shows signs of screen addiction or mental distress
Signs of Screen Addiction:
- Difficulty stopping use even when told to
- Avoiding responsibilities to continue screen activity
- Withdrawal symptoms (anger, sadness) when not using devices
Conclusion: Focus on Healthy Digital Habits
This research makes one thing clear: screen addiction, not just screen time, poses serious threats to children’s mental health. By shifting the conversation and focusing on healthy tech habits, parents and educators can better protect the emotional well-being of the next generation.
If You Need Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit the 988 Lifeline website.
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