Teens getting more hours of daily screen time are reporting increased levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, according to new data. But technology isn't always all bad, an expert explains.
It’s definitely more complicated than that. Based on things I have read, social media helps some neurodivergent kids who have trouble making friends in school have a social life. It’s easier for some of them to have friends when they don’t have to worry about things like interpreting their emotions from their facial expressions.
I think likely screen time reduces anxiety and depression for those teens because it lets them do something that avoids such things due to lack of friendships.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db513.htm#Key_finding Important note:
I wouldn’t be surprised to find teenagers depressed and anxious during a pandemic.
Furthermore it is clear that this study only confirms correlation.
Good point about correlation, entirety possible the depressed and anxious people may tend to increase screen use.
It’s definitely more complicated than that. Based on things I have read, social media helps some neurodivergent kids who have trouble making friends in school have a social life. It’s easier for some of them to have friends when they don’t have to worry about things like interpreting their emotions from their facial expressions.
I think likely screen time reduces anxiety and depression for those teens because it lets them do something that avoids such things due to lack of friendships.