In a recent study published by JAMA magazine this June, researchers from the universities of Will Cornell and Colombia found that teenagers’ use of screens – including social media, mobile phones and video games – when it turns from normal use to compulsive or addictive behavior, increases the risk of ideas, suicide behaviors and psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and aggressive behavior.
Extensive analytical data
The study included more than 4,000 children between the ages of 9 and 10 years at its inception. By the age of 14, almost a third of them became addicted to the media, and their quarter on phones, and more than 40% on video games. These children were more likely to think about suicide, planning for him, or actually.
How was addiction measured?
Addictive behavior was measured by a questionnaire that contained phrases such as: “I spend a long time thinking about communication applications” or “I feel nervous if I don’t use them.” Children’s answers changed with time to indicate the inability to stop even when trying.
Shying results after four years
By the fourth year, the results showed that 18% of the participants had suicide ideas, and 5% made actual attempts. The symptoms of addiction included feeling unable to leave the screens, feeling distress when moving away from them, and using them to escape the problems of life.
The period is not enough to determine the danger
The study indicated that just spending a long time on screens does not necessarily mean a problem. The most important thing is the method of use. Clinical experiments showed that reducing the use of the phone during the study did not improve mental health or reduce the risk of suicide.
The importance of understanding “how” is used time
The researchers explained that each type of digital activities was linked in one way or another to suicide behaviors, and that addicted use the risk of these behaviors two to three times compared to the lower use. Addiction was also linked to either internal symptoms (anxiety, depression) or external (aggressive and distracted).
Warning of separation from reality
One of the dangerous indicators was the use of games to escape problems. This reflects an anxiety and depression avoidance, which is an early warning sign. The fusion of virtual life may mean a deterioration in mental health.
in conclusion
The study confirmed that addiction to screens has become common among adolescents and can lead to serious psychological problems, most notably depression and anxiety, and may later develop into thinking about suicide or attempting to implement it.
