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If you thought giving your kids smartphones and tablets early in life would give them a digital edge, there’s a dark downside to be aware of. A disturbing new study shows that the sooner children are given smartphones, the more likely they are to have mental health problems as youngsters.
The findings, released globally on Monday and shared with TOI, are alarming. Mental well-being parameters were found to decline consistently with decreasing age at first car ownership. Smartphone (including tablet)).
A study in more than 40 countries by a U.S.-based nonprofit found that young people who owned smartphones in childhood also experienced higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression toward others, feelings of detachment and hallucinations. reported that it became Sapien Institute found.
A new global study collected data on 27,969 adults aged 18-24 in more than 40 countries, including about 4,000 in India. Women were found to be more susceptible.
As many as 74% of female respondents who received their first smartphone at the age of 6 experienced serious mental health problems as young people and scored as either ‘worried’ or ‘struggling’. It has been found MHQ range. This dropped to 61% for those who bought their first smartphone at age 10 and 52% for those who bought their device at age 15. A study found that 46% of people who got their first smartphone at the age of 18 were rated as having psychological distress or difficulty.
For men, the trend was similar, albeit to a lesser extent. About 42% of those who got their first smartphone at age 6 were categorized as having a ‘distressed’ or ‘difficult’ mental state, whereas among those who got a smartphone at 18, he decreased to 36%. Mental Health Outcomes used ratings covering a range of symptoms and mental abilities, which were combined to provide a comprehensive Mental Health Index (MHQ). These scores were then compared to the age at which respondents reported first owning a smartphone or tablet.
“Early acquisition of mobile phones has been associated with mental health problems as adults, particularly suicidal thoughts, aggression towards others, and feelings of detachment from reality, and overall , means a diminished sense of the ‘social self’ of how we see ourselves and how we see relationships “to others,” the neuroscientist said. Tara Thiagarajanthe founder and chief scientist of the Sapien Institute, which carried out the research.
The findings come against the backdrop of a progressive global decline in mental health among young people across the internet-enabled world that began around 2010-2014. It is especially relevant for India. According to McAfee’s Global Connected Families Survey released last year, her 10- to 14-year-old smartphone usage in India is 83%, which is 7 percentage points higher than her international average of 76%.
The Sapien Institute study shows a strong link between early smartphone use and mental health problems in young adulthood, but doesn’t go into the causes. TiagarrajanHowever, it provided some insight. “Usage statistics show that children spend between 5 and 8 hours a day online, up to 2,950 hours a year. Before smartphones, much of this time was spent with family and friends. Social behavior is complex: “It has to be learned and practiced. Think of it as football. Any two-year-old can kick a ball or run.” It can be done, but it takes a lot of practice to develop both skill and stamina to get really good at it.Children don’t.” Gaining the equivalent social conventions makes them struggle in the social world. I do,” she said.
Curiously, in India, the study found a correlation between mental health in women aged 18-24 and age at first smartphone use, but the association was minimal among men. did not exist. “Men tend to be weaker globally,” Chiagarajan explained. “I think some of the trends could become statistically significant in India if the numbers were higher. It is not entirely clear whether there is such a gender difference.” It is possible that it is due to the way men use smartphones compared to women, but women are more biogenic towards social upbringing. It is also possible that it is scientifically embedded and therefore more susceptible. ”
For parents, the findings convey a clear message. “Do not give your child a smartphone as late as possible. The older the better.” At the same time, focus on yourself.” Child social development – which is of fundamental importance to a child’s mental health and ability to navigate the world – has been replaced by phone use. It’s been a long time,” said the neuroscientist.
clock Some schools will have later start times to improve mental health
The findings, released globally on Monday and shared with TOI, are alarming. Mental well-being parameters were found to decline consistently with decreasing age at first car ownership. Smartphone (including tablet)).
A study in more than 40 countries by a U.S.-based nonprofit found that young people who owned smartphones in childhood also experienced higher rates of suicidal thoughts, aggression toward others, feelings of detachment and hallucinations. reported that it became Sapien Institute found.
A new global study collected data on 27,969 adults aged 18-24 in more than 40 countries, including about 4,000 in India. Women were found to be more susceptible.
As many as 74% of female respondents who received their first smartphone at the age of 6 experienced serious mental health problems as young people and scored as either ‘worried’ or ‘struggling’. It has been found MHQ range. This dropped to 61% for those who bought their first smartphone at age 10 and 52% for those who bought their device at age 15. A study found that 46% of people who got their first smartphone at the age of 18 were rated as having psychological distress or difficulty.
For men, the trend was similar, albeit to a lesser extent. About 42% of those who got their first smartphone at age 6 were categorized as having a ‘distressed’ or ‘difficult’ mental state, whereas among those who got a smartphone at 18, he decreased to 36%. Mental Health Outcomes used ratings covering a range of symptoms and mental abilities, which were combined to provide a comprehensive Mental Health Index (MHQ). These scores were then compared to the age at which respondents reported first owning a smartphone or tablet.
“Early acquisition of mobile phones has been associated with mental health problems as adults, particularly suicidal thoughts, aggression towards others, and feelings of detachment from reality, and overall , means a diminished sense of the ‘social self’ of how we see ourselves and how we see relationships “to others,” the neuroscientist said. Tara Thiagarajanthe founder and chief scientist of the Sapien Institute, which carried out the research.
The findings come against the backdrop of a progressive global decline in mental health among young people across the internet-enabled world that began around 2010-2014. It is especially relevant for India. According to McAfee’s Global Connected Families Survey released last year, her 10- to 14-year-old smartphone usage in India is 83%, which is 7 percentage points higher than her international average of 76%.
The Sapien Institute study shows a strong link between early smartphone use and mental health problems in young adulthood, but doesn’t go into the causes. TiagarrajanHowever, it provided some insight. “Usage statistics show that children spend between 5 and 8 hours a day online, up to 2,950 hours a year. Before smartphones, much of this time was spent with family and friends. Social behavior is complex: “It has to be learned and practiced. Think of it as football. Any two-year-old can kick a ball or run.” It can be done, but it takes a lot of practice to develop both skill and stamina to get really good at it.Children don’t.” Gaining the equivalent social conventions makes them struggle in the social world. I do,” she said.
Curiously, in India, the study found a correlation between mental health in women aged 18-24 and age at first smartphone use, but the association was minimal among men. did not exist. “Men tend to be weaker globally,” Chiagarajan explained. “I think some of the trends could become statistically significant in India if the numbers were higher. It is not entirely clear whether there is such a gender difference.” It is possible that it is due to the way men use smartphones compared to women, but women are more biogenic towards social upbringing. It is also possible that it is scientifically embedded and therefore more susceptible. ”
For parents, the findings convey a clear message. “Do not give your child a smartphone as late as possible. The older the better.” At the same time, focus on yourself.” Child social development – which is of fundamental importance to a child’s mental health and ability to navigate the world – has been replaced by phone use. It’s been a long time,” said the neuroscientist.
clock Some schools will have later start times to improve mental health
