Excessive Phone and Screen Use Tied to Manic Symptoms in Pre-Teens: Study
A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco, indicates that pre-teens with greater exposure to certain types of tech use could be at a higher risk of developing manic symptoms.
Published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, the study analyzed a nationwide sample of 9,243 children in the U.S. between 10 and 11 years old.
Young people who spent more time engaged with social media, texting, videos and video games were more likely to have “inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, rapid speech, racing thoughts and impulsivity — behaviors characteristic of manic episodes, a key feature of bipolar-spectrum disorders,” a press release noted.
“This study underscores the importance of cultivating healthy screen use habits early,” said co-author Kyle Ganson, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.
“Future research can help us better understand the behaviors and brain mechanisms linking screen use with manic symptoms to help inform prevention and intervention efforts.”
Tips for Safer Use from Experts
To mark the Global Day of Unplugging (March 7), Verizon hosted its first-ever “digital wellness summit” in New York City to share insights with the public about the safe use of technology.
Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, discussed the importance of setting digital boundaries, especially for kids.
“Digital wellness should be for every age, but really we need a new blueprint as parents, because we’ve never been through this before,” Sampath said at the event in the Big Apple.
“This digital age is new to us all. There’s no time in history we can reclaim how we handle that.”
Tech’s Impact on Kids
Dr. Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, attending psychologist at Boston’s Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, also spoke at a panel at the Verizon event and in a follow-up interview with Fox News Digital.
The expert noted that kids spending “hours and hours” of their free time on their phones can be “problematic,” especially considering the possibility that they’ll experience threats such as cyberbullying and hate speech.
Prompts for Parents, Grandparents
Sinclair-McBride encouraged parents and grandparents to learn about the apps children are using and teach them to be “critical consumers” of content by training them to detect scams, misinformation or AI-generated content.
“Slowing down and being more thoughtful and mindful about what you’re doing is, I think, the first step in modeling that as a parent,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Parents can also look at their own use and [ask], ‘Am I on my phone too much? Am I too addicted to social media?’”
‘Create Space to Have Fun’
Sampath shared simple advice for families to ensure a healthy balance between tech use and unplugged activities.
“Go for a movie. Go for a walk. Go and play a game or just hang out with friends. Or just hang out with your family in your kitchen and do fun things,” he suggested.
“I think kids are going to have to be comfortable sometimes doing nothing … reading a book, just hanging out,” he said.
“Kids are going to have to get way more comfortable doing that – that’s part of a healthy boundary, and it’s part of a good relationship with technology.”
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of cultivating healthy screen use habits early on. It is crucial for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to set digital boundaries, monitor tech use, and encourage children to be critical consumers of content. Additionally, it is essential to create space for physical activity, outdoor play, and socialization to promote overall well-being.
By following these tips and guidelines, we can help children develop a healthy relationship with technology and reduce the risk of manic symptoms.
FAQs
Q: What are the risks associated with excessive phone and screen use in pre-teens?
A: The study suggests that excessive phone and screen use in pre-teens is linked to manic symptoms, such as inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, rapid speech, racing thoughts, and impulsivity.
Q: What can parents and caregivers do to promote healthy screen use habits in children?
A: Set digital boundaries, monitor tech use, and encourage children to be critical consumers of content. Create space for physical activity, outdoor play, and socialization.
Q: How can parents model healthy screen use habits for their children?
A: Parents should set an example by being mindful of their own tech use, limiting their screen time, and engaging in activities that promote physical activity and socialization.
Q: What are some tips for creating a healthy balance between tech use and unplugged activities?
A: Go for a movie, play a game, or hang out with friends. Create space for reading, writing, or simply doing nothing. Encourage children to get comfortable with downtime and relaxation.
