صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
Research shows that screen use may replace beneficial activities such as exercise and social interaction, which can increase negative mental health symptoms. According to a report published by Neuroscience News, based on a study in the journal BMC Public Health, the effects differ between ethnic groups, with a segment of adolescents showing greater associations between screen use and mental health symptoms compared to their peers of African or Asian descent.
In a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, which included 9,538 children over two years, it was found that the time children spent in front of screens was associated with more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. While the effects were small, they were consistent, with screen time associated more with depressive symptoms, and less with behavior and attention deficits.
Professor Jason Nagata, the lead researcher, said that excessive use of screens can reduce the time allocated for physical activity and social communication, which contributes to reducing depression and anxiety. The results showed that white teens had stronger associations with depressive symptoms than teens of other backgrounds, while screens may play a different role for minority teens, allowing them to connect with peers who share similar experiences.
With growing concerns about teen mental health, parents should take steps to reduce the negative effects of screen use. Professor Nagata stresses the importance of developing a media use plan that takes into account the needs of each child, which can help improve adolescents’ mental health.
