According to a recent U.S. study, heavy use of devices by preteens (ages 11-12) is becoming a new growing concern for their mental health. It has been found that those using screens excessively are much more likely to show signs and symptoms of mental illness such as depression, sleep disorders, ADHD, substance use, suicidal ideation and conduct disorders. Some parents may see these kids as having “just a lot of screen time”, but researchers have demonstrated that preteens can experience mental health challenges when their digital habits grow out of control.
There are plenty of ways that preteens benefit from technology, such as maintaining their friend group, engaging in learning opportunities and being able to relax, however where the real challenges occur is when a preteen engages in compulsive device usage, develops a pattern of screen use that interferes with sleeping or faces face to face interactions, or is used as a coping mechanism for challenging emotions.
The challenge for many families is to develop a balance that allows technology to help, rather than hurt, the mental health of their preteen. In order to support positive tween mental health, pediatricians and psychologists are encouraging caregivers to establish healthy parameters regarding the use of technology, such as maintaining a consistent daily schedule, not allowing devices in bedrooms during the night and modelling responsible digital behaviours.
The research shows that tweens in the study with families who communicated well with each other, had regular family routines, and were in supportive school environments experienced better tween mental health regardless of their screen time. Experts are optimistic that by making small, day-to-day changes – such as eating meals as a family, participating in offline exertions as a family, and having honest discussions on feelings – will help lessen the effects of digital overload on the mental health of tweens. As the controversy surrounding allowing phones and other devices in schools and at home continues to grow, this research emphasizes the need to develop more effective ways to care for and support the mental health of tweens in an ever-connected society.
Source: U.S. News & HealthDay – Tween Screen Addiction Linked to Mental Health Problems
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