Research says that screen apply in 9- and 10-year-olds increases the risk of depression and anxiety

It’s time to take a closer look at your kids’ screen time habits. With recent research emerging every day on the impact of excessive screen apply on mental health, a recent study suggests an alarming conclusion: children aged 9 and 10 are at an increased risk of depression and anxiety due to screen apply.

In the long run test conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, researchers followed 9,538 participants for approximately two years to understand the impact of screen apply on mental health. Participants were 9 or 10 years venerable at the beginning of the study. Using mixed-effects models, researchers examined associations between baseline self-reported screen apply and parent-reported mental health symptoms using the Child Behavior Checklist.

The study found that increased total screen time was associated with increases in various mental health symptoms. Specifically, each additional hour of screen time correlated with a 10% escalate in depressive symptoms, a 7% escalate in behavioral symptoms, and a 6% escalate in somatic symptoms. Additionally, for each additional hour spent in front of a screen, the risk of developing attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms increased by 6%.

The researchers noted that although the effects were diminutive, they were consistent. They also observed that of screen-based activities, video chatting, texting, watching movies, and video gaming were the types of apply that had the greatest association with depressive symptoms.

“Screen apply can replace time spent on physical activity, sleeping, socializing, and other behaviors that reduce depression and anxiety,” lead author Dr. Jason Nagata explained in his paper press release.

Comparing the effects of screen time on different racial groups, the study found that white participants showed stronger associations between screen time and symptoms of depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder compared to black participants. Compared to their Asian peers, whites also showed a stronger association between screen time and depressive symptoms. However, the study found no differences in these associations by gender.

“For minority teens, screens and social media can play a different role, serving as crucial platforms for connecting with peers with similar backgrounds and experiences. Rather than displacing personal relationships, technology can lend a hand them expand their support networks beyond what is available in their immediate environment,” Nagata said.

To reduce risk, researchers believe parents can play a key role by developing a family media plan that takes into account each child’s individual needs, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.