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(CNN) – The more teens check social media and video, the more likely they are to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, according to a new study
published in the journal medical JAMA Tuesday. sheds light on the need for further research to determine if the symptoms of the disorder, commonly known as ADHD, are likely caused by the use of digital media.
"If we can determine if there is a potential causal link that is consistent across studies, then we can design interventions to reduce exposure to the media. Even simple educational information to allow teachers, parents and pediatric health professionals to know that there could be an increased risk when they talk about using digital media with their teens could be helpful, "said Adam Leventhal, a Certified Clinical Psychologist and Prevention Professor. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, agitation or impulsivity that is more severe, frequent or debilitating than normal
. is more common among boys than girls, affects about 5% of all children in the United States, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prevalence of ADHD has also been estimated at 5% worldwide
Therapeutic Options Include Behavioral Therapy, Medications, and School Facilities
"ADHD has been associated with substance abuse disorders in the US. adulthood and even criminal justice, and the symptoms are distressing for the affected person, "said Leventhal." If we can identify any potential risk factor that is involved in this disorder, then it's important, in especially those that are editable like the use of digital media. "
" The Association … was Persistent "
10 high schools throughout Los Angeles County, California. , who had no significant symptoms of ADHD at the start of the study, were aged 15 to 16 years
Students participated in the study over a two-year period, beginning at l & # 39; Auto in 2014, with a collection of monitoring data. Spring, Fall 2015, Spring 2016 and Fall 2016.
At each of these times, students completed a fact sheet that measured the symptoms of ADHD, including nine inattention symptoms and nine hyperactivity symptoms. -impulsiveness.
Students responded to surveys that indicated how often they participated in 14 digital media activities, such as social media, texting, digital games, online shopping, video conversations, reading content online or streaming videos or music. ] In each survey response, students indicated whether their recent use of digital media was frequent, that is, several times a day or at other frequency levels, such as zero times a week. , once or twice a week.
After analyzing self-reported symptoms and responses to digital media surveys, the researchers found that each additional high-frequency interaction in a digital media activity was associated with a higher likelihood of having symptoms of digital media. ADHD at each point of follow-up. 19659002] Researchers found that, on average, 9.5% of students who reported engaging in seven high-frequency digital media activities reported symptoms of ADHD and 10.5% of those who reported participating in 14 high-frequency digital media activities. In comparison, only 4.6% of students who reported not engaging in any of the digital media activities also reported symptoms of ADHD throughout the study.
"These percentages – like the 4.6% – reflect average rates four different follow-ups," said Leventhal. "One of the things we noticed in the study was that the association between digital media and the prevalence of ADHD symptoms was persistent throughout the follow-up period."
The researchers described the association between higher frequency The following symptoms of ADHD are "statistically significant but modest".
The study had some limitations, including the fact that only a specific age of students was included in the study and that students were based solely in the Los Angeles area. More research is needed to determine if similar results could emerge among a group of more geographically diverse adolescents.
In addition, the study showed that an association between modern digital media use and the subsequent symptoms of ADHD. More research is needed to determine if this relationship is causal or reflects the reverse causality. For example, genetics or environmental influences can increase both the symptoms of ADHD and the access or use of digital media. The use of income and media among parents can also influence the use of media in children.
The study was also based on self-reported reports on the use of digital media and ADHD symptoms
"We had no clinicians involved in our study. Leventhal said, but not everyone would call it a limitation
"The results must be understood as provisional"
. Dimitri Christakis, pediatrician and director of the Center for Health, Behavior and Child Development at the Seattle Children's Research Institute, described the study as "best to date" showing the association between the use of digital media and the symptoms of ADHD. "Even without a clinical diagnosis of ADHD, a decrease in attentional capacity is associated with a lower function both in childhood and in adulthood," said Christakis, who does not have a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. was not involved.
"We know that it's wrong to have a shorter duration of attention, no matter whether or not you have a diagnosis of ADHD," he said.
A shorter attention span "With the constant use of digital media," you can create a habit of mind where your brain is constantly looking for something more interesting, something more stimulating. because it's always available – and that leads to distraction, "he said. "The biggest problem kids have with ADHD is, they are easily distracted."
The study was interesting, but there are three reasons to remain cautious, Andy Przybylski, associate professor and research director at Oxford University's Oxford Internet Institute, said in a statement released Tuesday by the Science Media Center independent.
"First, although the analyzes are well done, they demonstrate a very small correlation between the use of digital media and the non-clinical measurement of ADHD symptoms. study is a proof of concept that tells us that we need very large samples when we design future studies because the possible effects are extremely small, "said Przybylski, who did not participate in the study. study does not measure the use of digital media or ADHD directly.For both the study relies on the survey responses provided by the student in question. It is not clear whether teachers or parents would rate children in the same way or whether the self-reported measurement of the use of the digital screen is correlated with actual behavior or with items in the classroom. Better investigation, "he said. "Finally, because it was an exploratory study, instead of a recorded or confirmatory study, the results should be understood as tentative."
Media Recommendations digital recommended by physicians
Dr. Jenny Radesky, developmental behavioral pediatrician and assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, wrote an editorial accompanying the new study
"With a faster search of digital media, parents can feel more confident The results "confirm the 2016 guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics to prioritize activities that promote the functioning and well-being of adolescents, including sleep, physical activity and distraction. ", writes Radesky, who was the principal author of the Academy's guidelines for young children, with Christakis.
For children 6 years and older, l & # 39; academy recommends placing consistent boundaries on the time spent using the media, designating moments without media such as dinner or travel,
Radesky writes in his edict orial that "this study does not directly address the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for parental involvement in the use of media by their teens – including discussions about the prosocial uses of sexuality . media, digital citizenship, misinformation and persuasion awareness – are relevant to cognitive and emotional responses to teen digital media. "
The-CNN-Wire
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