In a groundbreaking study, researchers said that Smartphone use exceeding four hours daily heightened risks to mental health and substance abuse.
The research, conducted by Jin-Hwa Moon and Jong Ho Cha of Hanyang University Medical Center, Korea, and their colleagues, shed light on the urgent need for awareness and intervention.
DARK SIDE OF EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME
Analyzing data from the Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey conducted in 2017 and 2020, researchers unveil a disconcerting pattern. Adolescents logging over 4 hours of Smartphone use daily exhibited elevated levels of stress, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. Contrastingly, those utilizing smart phones for 1-2 hours a day encountered fewer health-related issues than both their more prolonged device-engaged counterparts and those abstaining from Smartphone use altogether.
RISING TIDE OF ADOLESCENT SMARTPHONE USE
As smart phones become ubiquitous among adolescents, the study underlines a significant surge in usage, with 85.7 percent of participants in 2020 spending more than 2 hours per day on their devices, marking a notable increase from 2017’s 64.3 percent. The escalating trend raises red flags as researchers delve into the potential ramifications on the well-being of the younger generation.
USAGE GUIDELINES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
While the study refrains from establishing a definitive causal relationship between Smartphone use and adverse health outcomes, it serves as a crucial impetus for crafting informed guidelines, particularly as daily usage among adolescents continues its upward trajectory. The research prompts a re-evaluation of the potential consequences and necessitates proactive measures to safeguard adolescent health.
