HealthCBCKids and young adults are addicted to screens. New research argues it may be a public health concern
A major Lancet review of over 9 million participants found excess screen time is a public health concern for children and young adults, with researchers calling on governments and tech companies to…
The physical and mental well-being of millions of kids around the world may be at risk because of excess screen time, according to global data analyzed for a new series of research papers published Sunday by medical journal The Lancet. But researchers say they need to see tech companies' own user data to determine just how severe an issue it may be.
A new series of research papers in The Lancet, drawing on data from 2,790 studies and more than nine million participants, found screen addiction among young people is a public health crisis.
For children under 10, excess screen time was linked to less sleep and poorer cognitive and social development, while for those aged 10 to 24 it was linked to mental health problems, self-harm and suicidal ideation.
Researchers say tech companies must share their user data and governments need to step in, as parents alone cannot be expected to manage the problem.
The Lancet researchers say parents cannot be the only line of defence and are calling on governments to intervene, so it may be worth checking your child's daily screen time limits.
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