Addiction To Digital Media Linked To More Psychiatric Problems In Teens: Study

Umer Jamshaid Published July 17, 2018 | 10:07 PM

A study published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that children addicted to digital devices were more likely prone to psychiatric problems.

WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jul, 2018 ) :A study published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that children addicted to digital devices were more likely prone to psychiatric problems.

Teens who are heavy users of digital devices are twice as likely as infrequent users to show symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the study.

The links are stable as researchers tracked nearly 2,600 teenagers in two years.

The ADHD is described as a brain disorder with symptoms that include a pattern of inattention, hyperactive behavior and impulsiveness that interferes with functioning or development.

The researchers examined the mental consequences of a new generation of digital diversions, including social media, streaming video, text messaging, music downloads and online chatrooms, rather than mere use of tv or video games in previous research.

"New, mobile technologies can provide fast, high-intensity stimulation accessible all day, which has increased digital media exposure far beyond what's been studied before," said Adam Leventhal, professor of preventive medicine and psychology at University of Southern California.

A recent survey by non-profit Common Sense Media showed teens spent over one-third of their day, nearly nine hours, using online media.