A new study has found that too much screen time can lead to suicidal behavior in children.
Every additional hour children aged 9 to 11 spent in front of electronic screens was associated with a 9% increase in the risk of suicidal behavior after two years.
The researchers analyzed data from a long-term study of brain development in the United States. They collected screen time data from 11,633 children aged 9 to 11. Each child was followed for two years.
Children answered questions about screen time and suicidal behavior.
Screens often replace “communication, activity and sleep,” says study co-author Dr. Jason Nagata, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.
“Screen use can lead to social isolation, cyberbullying and sleep disturbance, which can lead to poor mental health. More screen time often crowds out time for socializing, physical activity, and personal sleep,” he explained.
“Screen time can have important benefits such as education and socialization, but parents should try to mitigate the negative mental health risks associated with excessive screen time. Parents should talk to their children regularly about screen use and typical screen-screen behavior,” Dr. Nagata notes.
Source: Sun
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