Children addicted to tech including smartphones are more at risk of psychosis, study suggests
Children addicted to smartphones, iPads and video games are more likely to suffer psychotic episodes later in life, a study has indicated.
Scientists found that smartphone and social media use in adolescence is linked to paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and 'bizarre ideas' by the time a person reaches 23.
But researchers said that the tech itself may not actually be the cause of the problem and that a child's addiction to the devices could be a warning that they are already vulnerable to mental illness.
Writing in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, the Canadian team behind the study said: 'Higher media use and mental health problems appear to share risk factors, such as parental mental health problems, loneliness, bullying and parent-child relational problems.'
Researchers advised that clinicians should consider why a gadget-addicted youth who is suffering from psychotic experiences became hooked in the first place, before blaming the technology (stock picture)
A child's addiction to the devices could be a warning that they are already vulnerable to mental illness (stock image)
The researchers also warned that forcing addicted youngsters to go 'cold turkey' by abruptly depriving them of screen time may not help and could be more harmful.
The study looked at the media habits and psychotic experiences of 2,120 Canadians born in 1997 and 1998. It found that those who drastically reduced their computer use still had more frequent psychotic experiences in adulthood, even after other personal experiences were considered.
READ MORE: Fascinating charts show explosion in number of children who think they are trans amid claims Covid lockdowns fuelled rates - especially in young girls
AdvertisementIt also said internet use is more strongly associated with depression than video gaming or television viewing. Meanwhile, gaming may support emotional regulation and the development of social skills more than 'passive' forms of technology such as TV.
The researchers advised that clinicians should consider why a gadget-addicted youth who is suffering from psychotic experiences became hooked in the first place, before blaming the technology.
Dr Simona Skripkauskaite, of Oxford University, said: 'High digital technology use in adolescence can be an early marker, rather than a cause, of later mental health problems.'
He added experts are 'moving away' from seeing digital technology as a 'root cause of all contemporary troubles': 'Pre-existing personal circumstances often underlie both elevated media use and mental health difficulties.'
Earlier this year, the Millennium Cohort Study, which followed 18,000 families, found almost half of British teenagers feel addicted to social media.
And recent research by King's College London concluded that one in three people meet the criteria for clinical smartphone addiction. Addicts may lose control over how long they spend on their phones, become distressed when they cannot access their devices and neglect other more meaningful parts of their lives.
Related articles
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has added a stop in Luxembourg to a trip to Belgium in September, a three-d2024-05-21Navy surgeon who operated on 12
A navy surgeon who operated on a 12-year-old's penis without consent while carrying out a hernia pro2024-05-21Mainland says flight route adjustment benefits both sides of Taiwan Strait
The initiation of the west-to-east operation of W122 and W123 routes that connect with M503 route, e2024-05-21Miley Cyrus, Lorde and more team up for Talking Heads tribute
In 1984, Talking Heads ' concert film and live album “Stop Making Sense” captured the alt-rock quart2024-05-21Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Matt Turner and Tim Ream will be given the three weeks ahead2024-05-21Harry 'deeply stung' by King Charles' 'snub' after monarch was 'too busy' to see the Duke on whistle
Prince Harry was reportedly 'deeply stung' by King Charles' 'snub' during his whistle-stop trip to t2024-05-21
atest comment