Current location:world >>
Children addicted to tech including smartphones are more at risk of psychosis, study suggests
world67721People 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.“Earth Encounters news portal”。http://greece.camilleandconfettis.com/news-55f099944.html
Related articles
Wayne Bennett, at 74, signs a 3
worldBRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The 74-year-old Wayne Bennett has ended speculation about his coaching fu ...
【world】
Read moreSOEs' AI push may transform industries
worldChina's move to promote advancements in artificial intelligence technologies among its centrally-adm ...
【world】
Read moreChina launches new meteorological satellite
worldA Long March-4C rocket carrying satellite Fengyun-3E blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Ce ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Portugal into record sixth European Championship
- China's first Mars rover named Zhurong
- Ozone layer's repair could slow climate change
- China's Huawei to launch HarmonyOS for smartphones
- Police raid the headquarters of the Milan
- 2022 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit sees record participants
Latest articles
Trump says he is open to restrictions on contraception before backing away from the statement
More than 641 million parcels delivered over Spring Festival holiday
Chinese tech giants strive to achieve carbon neutrality
Semiconductor industry to overcome challenges
Mariachis. A flame
Huawei's new mobile OS coming on June 2
LINKS
- Sheffield United face two
- Blake Lively says she dreamed up husband Ryan Reynolds as she promotes their new animated film IF
- Kylie Minogue looks effortlessly chic in a pink silk co
- Tiger Woods starts his 26th Masters with an impressive birdie on his first hole
- PLAYER RATINGS: Scores revealed for DIRE Liverpool stars who flopped in first leg against Atalanta
- Man United promote 18
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce doing Coachella in style! They will be staying at a TOP luxury members
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan cuddles up to Hilarie Burton as loved
- PLAYER RATINGS: Scores revealed for DIRE Liverpool stars who flopped in first leg against Atalanta
- Blunders cost Crusaders dearly in loss to Waratahs