Too much screen time could increase risk of depression in children, teens: study



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New U.S. research has found that it can affect children's and teens' behavior. Even children as young as two are at risk of higher levels of anxiety and depression.

The study, by researchers at San Diego State University and the University of Georgia, reviewed by the National Survey of Children's Health.

The researchers analyzed 40,337 surveys completed by caregivers of children aged 2 to 17, who were asked about the children's existing medical care, emotional, developmental and behavioral issues, and youth behaviors, including daily screen time.

The findings, published in Preventative Medicine Reports, showed that they are associated with lowering their self-control and emotional stability.

Among preschoolers, high users of screens are very likely to be affected by their condition. Around 22.6 percent of those aged 13.8 percent of those who spent one hour on screen and around 9 percent of those who spent one hour in front of a screen.

Teens who spent more than seven hours a day on the subject of depression and depression, who were diagnosed with anxiety or depression. In addition, 42.2 percent of teens aged 14 to 17, compared to 27.7 percent of those who spend a day on screens and 16.6 percent of teens spent one hour daily in front of a screen.

Moreover, the associations between screen and well-being are stronger among adolescents than among young children.

"At first, I was surprised that the associations were larger for adolescents," commented researcher Jean Twenge. "However, we should spend more time on their phones and on social media, and we know more about younger children's screen time."

Twenge added that the study provides more evidence to support the American Academy of Pediatrics' established screen time limits – and suggests that similar limitations of perhaps Two hours a day should be applied to older school-aged children and adolescents.

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