Researchers spoke with more than 1,200 participants.
Children who play video games on devices such as mobile phones and iPads are more likely to suffer psychotic episodes later in life, a new study has found. Researchers at McGill University in Canada found that smartphone and social media use among adolescents leads to paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and “strange thoughts” by the age of 23. The study is based on data analysis of 1,226 participants. Born between 1997 and 1998, journal JAMA Psychiatry.
Researchers from McGill University in Canada found that “increasing and decreasing (curvilinear) trajectories of increasing sophistication and computer use in adolescence were associated with higher levels of psychotic experiences at age 23. ” stated in the research paper.
During the study, participants were asked questions to determine whether they had ever experienced persecutory thoughts, strange experiences, or perceptual abnormalities. Some of the questions included: “Do you ever feel like people make innuendos or say things with double meanings about you?” and “Do you ever feel like the thoughts in your head are not your own?” Have you ever felt like that?” “Have you ever heard voices when you were alone?”
Researchers analyzed the responses and concluded that playing more video games during adolescence was associated with a 3 to 7 percent increase in psychotic experiences.
But the researchers said the technology itself should not be blamed, adding that children’s dependence on devices could be a warning that they are already susceptible to mental illness.
“Increased media use and mental health problems appear to share risk factors, including parental mental health problems, loneliness, bullying, and parent-child relationship problems,” the research team said in a study. ing.
The researchers also said that suddenly depriving young people of screen time may not be effective and could be more harmful.
They hope this research will help psychologists understand why teens have psychotic experiences and figure out how best to help them.
