A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco shows that early teens who are exposed to certain types of technology use may be at a higher risk of development. Symptoms of man disease.
The study, published in the Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, analyzed a national sample of 9,243 children in the US between the ages of 10 and 11.
Young people who spent more time engaged in social media, texting, videos and video games were more likely to “swell self-esteem, lowered sleep needs, distractions, quick speech, race thinking, impulsivity-activity-activity-characteristic of episodes of Man’s disease. Bipolar Spectrum Disorder“The press release pointed out.
“This study highlights the importance of developing healthy screen use habits early,” says Dr. Kyle Gunson, co-author of the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Factors and Social Work at the University of Toronto.
“Future research will help us to better understand behavioural and brain mechanisms that link screen use with man symptoms to inform prevention and intervention efforts.”
The excessive use of social media, text messages, videos and video games by young people of a particular age has been associated with a higher risk of mental health problems in recent research. (Fox News)
Tips for safer use from experts
To mark the global plug day (March 7), Verizon held its first “Digital Wellness Summit” in New York City, sharing insights with the public. Safe use of technology.
Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, discussed the importance of setting digital boundaries. Especially for children.
“Digital Wellness It should be for all ages, but in reality you need a new blueprint as parents. Because we’ve never experienced this before,” Sunpas said at an event at the Big Apple.
“There’s a healthier relationship that people can have.”
“This digital age is new to all of us. History can’t bring back how we handle it.”
In another interview with Fox News Digital, Sampath shared compelling statistics on phone use, including results from Verizon’s 2024 Consumer Connections report.
Children and teenagers use social media for 4-5 hours a day and receive 250-275 notifications daily, the report revealed.
Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, on the right, was featured in the Verizon Digital Wellness Summit in New York City on March 6, 2025. On the left is Drew Barrymore, the actor and talk show host. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
It was also found that children touch and pick up the phone about 150 times a day.
A quarter of these events occurred Class time.
“This is something that made me think there’s a healthier relationship that people can have,” Sampas said.
The impact of technology on children
Dr. Kenisha Sinclair McBride, a psychologist at Children’s Hospital in Boston and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, also spoke in a panel at the Verizon event and a follow-up interview with Fox News Digital.
Experts pointed out that it could be “problematic” for children to spend their free time on their mobile phones.
Children and smartphones: How many people are too young? Experts reveal important recommendations
“I know these are related to depressive symptoms and other mental health concerns,” she said.
“We also know that we are very positive about social connection, learning and enjoyment, so we need to balance these two things.”
She pointed it out Some social media apps “Designed to get stuck” via loops of algorithms.
Interactions with others can have a positive effect on a child’s mood, experts suggest. (istock)
This problematic use can lead to poor functioning at work or school; It has a negative effect on sleep And the relationship, Sinclair McBride warned.
“Do they have to live their lives, do what they want and do in a positive way? If there’s concern about any of those areas, it’s usually a sign of what needs to be reassessed.”
Parents and grandparents prompts
Sinclair-McBride encouraged parents and grandparents to become “critical consumers” of content by training them to learn about the apps their children are using and to detect fraud and misinformation. AI-generated content.
“I think slowing down and being more thoughtful about what you are doing is the first step in modeling that. As a parentShe told Fox News Digital.
What is “brain rot”? The science behind the fact that too many scrolls in our brains
“Parents can also see their use [ask]’Am I making too many phones? Am I too obsessed with social media? ”
The CEO also urged adults to set boundaries that involve telephone use, whether they are limited to specific spaces in the home or at certain times.
“When you do things in real life, you feel happy.” (istock)
“Create a space for fun”
Sampas shared some simple family-friendly advice to ensure a healthy balance between high-tech use and unplugged activities.
“Go to the movie. I’m going for a walk. Go and play games or hang out with friends. Or hang out with your family in the kitchen and do something fun,” he suggested.
“I think kids need to be comfortable doing nothing at times… they just read books and just wander around,” he said.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
“Kids need to make it more comfortable. It’s part of a healthy boundary and part of a good relationship with technology.”
Sunpass also encouraged Americans to take advantage of living in areas with “some of the best weather” and “the best natural scenery in the world.” Outdoor space And move more.
“Time spent with digital technology, whether it’s sports, art, creative activities, reading, or anything practical and practical, concrete, must be balanced with the real thing.” (istock)
“You want to create space for fun. You want to create space for play. You want to create space for physical activity and have real relationships,” he said.
“There are long-term benefits Mental health …When you do things in real life, you feel happy. ”
Visit us for more health articles foxnews.com/health
Sinclair-McBride reflected his advice to go outside and “touch the grass.”
“Time spent with digital technology, whether it’s sports, art, creative activities, reading, and practical, practical concrete things, needs to be balanced with the real thing,” she said.
Experts advocated that they are given more time to explore specific activities and hobbies rather than default. (istock)
“I think people are in the mindset that this generation wants to do digital, digital, digital,” she added.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“They still like other things too. We have to give them the choices, space and freedom to have that time.”
