Two-thirds of parents are aware that screen time is having a negative impact on their children, coupled with the news that too much time in front of a tablet is scientifically linked to abnormal behavior in young children. The family is becoming increasingly concerned.
But it's not just young children who can suffer from too much time playing with technology. Research shows half of teens admit to being addicted to social media, and more recent research suggests video games may be linked to mental illness in teens .
Mental illness is defined by the NHS as a loss of touch with reality. Additionally, “this can include seeing or hearing things that others cannot see or hear (hallucinations) or believing things that are not actually true (delusions). It may also include disorganized (disorganized) thinking and speech.
And an alarming study published in a scientific journal JAMA Psychiatry They found that teens who spend a lot of time playing video games and computers are more likely to experience such symptoms.
The researchers studied a cohort of 1,226 participants born between 1997 and 1998, and found that their weekly TV viewing, video gaming, and computer use at ages 12, 13, 15, and 17; The amount of reading was reported. Interestingly, those who increased and then decreased their computer use were more likely to have had a psychotic experience at some point before age 23.
Between 5 and 7 percent of adults have had a psychotic experience at some point, and the first experience most often occurs during the teen years. These experiences ranged from mild suspicion, confused thinking, and strange ideas to delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia.
Participants were asked, “Do you ever feel like people make innuendos or double-meaning things about you?'' and “Do you ever feel like the thoughts in your head are not yours?'' Questions such as “Have you ever felt that way?” were asked. “Have you ever heard voices when you were alone?” to determine if they experienced psychosis.
However, the association between playing video games and the likelihood of psychotic experiences may be explained by the fact that video games are often associated with other factors that may confound the data. there is.
“Notably, frequency of video game use is associated with a number of indicators of adversity, including low household income at age 12 and mental health and interpersonal problems. , lower socio-economic status, male gender, and interpersonal and mental health problems were similarly associated with higher levels of video gaming among children and adolescents.'' are writing.
The researchers further found that while for some people video games may help them regulate their emotions and foster social connections, children found that the psychological and social aspects of games helped them cope with feelings of loneliness. I explained this by suggesting that you might find something useful to do.
Additionally, challenges such as financial instability, mental health issues, and interpersonal conflicts can limit access to activities other than video games.
It is hoped that this research will help psychologists understand why teens have psychotic experiences and find the best ways to help them. If you have a child who spends a lot of time playing video games, mental health charity Young Minds shares some of the signs that there may be a problem.
Your child regularly feels exhausted and unmotivated
they have trouble concentrating at school
They prioritize gaming over important daily activities like sleeping, eating, and doing laundry.
They only interact online and find face-to-face interactions difficult to manage and enjoy
I can no longer keep up with other interests I used to enjoy
Having difficulty thinking or talking about other things
If you recognize any of these behaviors, talk to your child's school, your doctor, or seek professional help from a counselor or therapist. You can also call the Young Minds parent helpline on 0808 802 5544 or find out more about supporting your child with games at childnet.com.
If you need advice on managing your teen's screen time, parenting experts have shared the following information: Dr Becky Kennedy and Professor Emily Oster share 3 top tips . Elsewhere, we asked experts. Tips to keep kids from doomscrolling and we reveal 6 ways teenage gamers are keeping their screens up all night .