Multiple studies have suggested that too much time on smartphones can be damaging to teens' mental health. However, a new study claims spending alot of time on the phone may not be too bad. A survey conducted by researchers at theUniversity of California found most teens believe the benefits of using technology outweigh the downsides, like cyberbullying.
For the study, the team made note of how much time teenagers were spending on their phone. They wanted to know if this had a link to their mental health - good or bad. Close to 2,000 young people answered a survey questionnaire.400 participants, between the ages of 10 and 15, were also part of the research so the team could monitor their smartphone use for two weeks. In addition, the team also made note of their mental health status thrice a day.
The team found no evidence to suggest using technology has an impact on mental health through the data they collected. The team looked into how other digital technologies may have an impact on mental health and found no evidence of it.“Contrary to the common belief that smartphones and social media are damaging adolescents’ mental health, we don’t see much support for the idea that time spent on phones and online is associated with increased risk for mental health problems,” lead author Michaeline Jensen, assistant professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, told a news portal.
According to researchers, focusing on teens' quality of life is more important to improve their mental health. “It may be time for adults to stop arguing over whether smartphones and social media are good or bad for teens’ mental health and start figuring out ways to best support them in both their offline and online lives,” Candice Odgers, professor of psychological science at the University of California, told a news portal. The findings were originally published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science.
Meanwhile, another study claims social stress due to smartphones has become a real issue for teenagers. “What a lot of teens told me is that social media and their phones feel mandatory," Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State, told a news portal.
Chris Doyle, a teacher from Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut (US), said anxiety among his students is making it difficult for them to learn. “That kind of awareness of other people’s lives, even maybe what used to be considered other people’s private lives, is kind of hyper right now,” Doyle told a news portal. Adding, “And I don’t think that usually leaves most people feeling good, because nobody’s perfect and most kids feel very imperfect.”
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