Real risk to youth mental health is 'addictive use,' not screen time alone, study finds

A study in JAMA reveals that addictive use of technology in children, rather than the duration of screen time, is linked to increased risk for suicidal behavior. Following over 4,000 children, researchers found that those reporting addiction were two to three times more likely to consider self-harm. The findings suggest that behavioral issues related to addictive use are crucial in addressing mental health risks among youth. The lead author stresses the importance of focusing on addiction treatment over merely limiting screen access for prevention.

"The first study to identify that addictive use is important and is actually the root cause, instead of time," said Yunyu Xiao."

"By age 14, children with high or increasing addictive behavior were two to three times as likely as other children to have thoughts of suicide or to harm themselves."

"Addictive behavior may be more difficult to control during childhood, before the prefrontal cortex, which acts as a brake on impulsivity, is fully developed."

"Interventions should focus on the child's addictive behavior, which is typically treated with cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, rather than simply limiting access to screens."

Read at Boston.com