Current location:travel >>
Children addicted to tech including smartphones are more at risk of psychosis, study suggests
travel16987People have gathered around
IntroductionChildren addicted to smartphones, iPads and video games are more likely to suffer psychotic episodes ...
Children addicted to smartphones, iPads and video games are more likely to suffer psychotic episodes later in life, a study has indicated.
Scientists found that smartphone and social media use in adolescence is linked to paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and 'bizarre ideas' by the time a person reaches 23.
But researchers said that the tech itself may not actually be the cause of the problem and that a child's addiction to the devices could be a warning that they are already vulnerable to mental illness.
Writing in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, the Canadian team behind the study said: 'Higher media use and mental health problems appear to share risk factors, such as parental mental health problems, loneliness, bullying and parent-child relational problems.'
Researchers advised that clinicians should consider why a gadget-addicted youth who is suffering from psychotic experiences became hooked in the first place, before blaming the technology (stock picture)
A child's addiction to the devices could be a warning that they are already vulnerable to mental illness (stock image)
The researchers also warned that forcing addicted youngsters to go 'cold turkey' by abruptly depriving them of screen time may not help and could be more harmful.
The study looked at the media habits and psychotic experiences of 2,120 Canadians born in 1997 and 1998. It found that those who drastically reduced their computer use still had more frequent psychotic experiences in adulthood, even after other personal experiences were considered.
READ MORE: Fascinating charts show explosion in number of children who think they are trans amid claims Covid lockdowns fuelled rates - especially in young girls
AdvertisementIt also said internet use is more strongly associated with depression than video gaming or television viewing. Meanwhile, gaming may support emotional regulation and the development of social skills more than 'passive' forms of technology such as TV.
The researchers advised that clinicians should consider why a gadget-addicted youth who is suffering from psychotic experiences became hooked in the first place, before blaming the technology.
Dr Simona Skripkauskaite, of Oxford University, said: 'High digital technology use in adolescence can be an early marker, rather than a cause, of later mental health problems.'
He added experts are 'moving away' from seeing digital technology as a 'root cause of all contemporary troubles': 'Pre-existing personal circumstances often underlie both elevated media use and mental health difficulties.'
Earlier this year, the Millennium Cohort Study, which followed 18,000 families, found almost half of British teenagers feel addicted to social media.
And recent research by King's College London concluded that one in three people meet the criteria for clinical smartphone addiction. Addicts may lose control over how long they spend on their phones, become distressed when they cannot access their devices and neglect other more meaningful parts of their lives.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Earthly Exploits news portal”。http://australia.ekjotinstitute.com/news-44d699946.html
Related articles
Liaoning overwhelm Guangdong in CBA semifinal decider
travelThe Liaoning Flying Leopards smashed the Guangdong Southern Tigers 116-95 to clinch a 3-2 victory in ...
【travel】
Read moreSpeed reduction reversal welcomed by West Coast
travelA proposal to lower the speed limit on much of State Highway 73 from 100km/h to 80km/h on the route ...
【travel】
Read moreJehovah's Witness Church takes case over Abuse in Care ruling to Court of Appeal
travelPhoto: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- Justin Rose is back in the mix at a major following a brilliant 7
- Fighting rages across Gaza amid revival of truce talks
- Bill to Fund US Government Includes Money to Counter China in Pacific
- Beauty industry experts pushing for more regulation amid rise in serious injuries
- 'China overcapacity' narrative to impact global recovery, green transition: Commerce ministry
- 'We can sue him': Chumbawamba on Winston Peters use of their song
Latest articles
Nelly Korda seizes 2
Movement of pilot's seat a focus of probe into LATAM Boeing flight, report says
Customs seize $20m meth and MDMA in two bags at Auckland Airport
US court blocks strict new immigration law in Texas
Copper has career
Department of Conservation set to lose scientific expertise in job cuts
LINKS
- ACWF Releases Posters to Publicize Anti
- Delegations parade into stadium during opening ceremony of 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou
- Boao Forum for Asia unveils agenda for 2024 conference
- More Foreign Women's Organizations Stand Firm with China in Anti
- From Migrant Worker to Reform Pioneer
- National Parent
- ACWF Holds Mobilization Meeting on Party History Learning and Education
- More Foreign Women's Organizations Stand Firm with China in Anti
- ACWF Holds Mobilization Meeting on Party History Learning and Education
- Opera Professor Turns Classrooms into Performance Stages