Dangers of social media use
Over the last decade, the effects of social media use have been a hot topic among researchers. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 40% of U.S. students use digital media at least three hours per day.
While the digital revolution has pushed the limits of human imagination, experts warn of potential mental health risks associated with too much screen time. A recent article published by sciencedaily.com discusses the potential adverse effects of social media use. It appears that adolescents who spend hours using smartphones and multimedia devices are at risk of developing ADHD symptoms.
ADHD Might Be One of The Effects of Social Media Use
In broad lines, ADHD is a brain disorder characterized by inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactive behavior. In the U.S. alone, nearly 5% of children have ADHD. This condition can cause severe developmental and behavioral problems for growing adolescents. An article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the adverse effects of social media use. By tracking nearly 2,600 teenagers, researchers discovered a link between frequent use of digital media platforms and ADHD symptoms
As Adam Leventhal – professor of preventive medicine and psychology – said:
We can say with confidence that teens who were exposed to higher levels of digital media were significantly more likely to develop ADHD symptoms in the future.
Considering that most of today’s teens have unrestricted access to digital media, the implications of this study are huge. And not just for parents and children, but also schools and tech companies. But despite the adverse effects associated with frequent social media use, there is a silver lining. Many of today’s tech giants have come up tools to help parents keep their teens’ technology use in check.
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