Teens and excessive smartphone use: more prone to depression, anxiety and insomnia
One in five teenagers have a problem with their smartphone
A study conducted by King’s College in London found that about one in five teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 have problematic smartphone-related behaviour, with a higher risk of developing insomnia, anxiety and depression.
The results of the study
The study, published in the journal Acta Paediatrica, involved 657 adolescents between 16 and 18 years of age, evaluated on the basis of ten questions related to their relationship with the smartphone. According to the results, 18.7% of adolescents were classified as having a problematic use of the device: almost two-thirds of participants admitted that they tried to reduce their smartphone usage, while one in eight asked for help to do so, This is a more common request among those who had problematic use of the device.
The symptoms
Kids with a problematic use of the phone spent more time on Instagram and TikTok than others and showed twice as many chances to have symptoms of moderate anxiety, almost three times the likelihood of having moderate depressive symptoms and a greater chance of insomnia.
The opinion of researchers
The researchers pointed out that, although we can not yet talk about real smartphone addiction – in fact, there are no clinical criteria to define it – there are some similarities with addictions to substances or behavioral, Such as loss of control over use, neglect of other important tasks and discomfort when access to the device is limited. “Smartphones are fun and useful, and we continue to develop them,” said Dr Nicola Kalk, co-author of the study. “As an addiction psychiatrist, I can say that some people get into trouble with things they find pleasant, and we need to help them”. The researchers also suggest that parents of adolescents who are struggling with smartphone use should be involved in reduction strategies, For example, do not allow the use of the phone during meals or after a certain time of night.
Conflicting theories
However, the research team points out that it is unclear whether problematic smartphone use is a cause or an effect of these problems. Professor Chris Ferguson of Stetson University, in Florida, not involved in the study, says that “there is no official diagnosis or agreed criteria” to define use of the smartphone as “problematic”. Ferguson suggested that some people might just love their phones or social media, and that problematic use could be a “wake-up call” for other underlying issues.
An open debate
The debate on the impact of smartphones on adolescent mental health remains open, The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a report on the European Commission’s work in this field.