" " Tween Suicide Risk Tied to Tech Use – Wellness for Life " "
Wellness for Life
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Family Wellness
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Mental Wellness
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Family Wellness
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Mental Wellness
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
Wellness for Life
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Tween Suicide Risk Tied to Tech Use

admin by admin
April 6, 2023
in News


Specifically, each additional hour of screen time increased the risk by 9%.

The risk was highest with texting, followed by video chatting, watching videos, and playing video games. Social media didn’t show an effect, but that may be because, technically, kids aren’t allowed to be on social media platforms until they are 13 (though some still are), so we didn’t have as much data there.

Advertisement

What Does “Suicidal Behavior” Mean?

It means thinking about suicide, with or without a specific plan, as well as attempting suicide. We weren’t able to separate attempts versus types of thoughts in this study.

I should also note that, overall, suicidal behavior was uncommon in these young kids, occurring in just 1.38% of the 11,633 kids we studied. The risk of suicidal behavior tends to increase with age, so this could be seen as an early warning sign.

Why Does Screen Time Increase Suicidal Behavior?

Time spent on screens often displaces time spent on in-person socializing, physical activity, and sleep – all of which are good for mental health.

Screen usage can lead to cyberbullying, poor eating habits, isolation, and disrupted sleep – all of which can worsen mental health. It also increases exposure to potentially anxiety-provoking or otherwise distressing content.

Is All Screen Time Bad for Tweens?

Screens can be helpful in some cases, like for kids who, say, are LGBTQ and don’t have real-life access to support, and to stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. I’d say it’s about being thoughtful about how kids engage with screens and keeping an eye on what they consume.

What Can Parents Do To Help Kids Use Screens Safely?

It’s important for parents to do what’s developmentally appropriate. For older teens, it’s about giving advice.

With younger children, preteens, and young teens, it makes sense to have a more hands-on approach, like using parental controls and keeping them off social media until they are 13.

This time, during early adolescence, is when you set the behaviors that will help kids develop healthy screen habits later on.

What Healthy Screen Habits Do You Recommend for Tweens?

Avoid screens before bedtime. We know screen use interferes with sleep, and good sleep is so important for mental health.

Avoid snacking while using screens, to make eating more intentional; and no use of screens during family meals.

That helps keep family time about connection, and also helps parents monitor their kids’ eating, which is important because screen overuse is connected to disordered eating, a mental health issue.

Parents can also establish screen-free zones, like bathrooms and bedrooms. Kids are less likely to get into violent or harmful content in public spaces in the home. Parents should try to model all these behaviors for their kids, which can be the hardest part.

What Questions Are You Still Trying to Answer About Screen Time and Suicide Risk?

One is whether screen use causes suicidality, or whether the increased odds of suicide are because kids who are already depressed are more prone to using screens.

With this paper, we see a little more evidence that it screens leading to suicidal behavior, because we adjusted for mental health at baseline and we looked at the kids two years later.

Another question is, how can we identify the 1% of kids who might tip into suicidality? We need to learn more about the type of content they consume and how it might play a role.

Source: Newswise



Source link

Tags: CaregiverschildrenHealthy habitsParentsresearchScreen timeSuicidal behaviorSuicideTweens
Previous Post

Better Therapeutics announces $6.5M private placement

Next Post

A Deeper Understanding of Love

Next Post

A Deeper Understanding of Love

Recommended

The Dark Side of Christmas

December 21, 2022

Michelle Elman on the dilemmas of modern-day dating

December 17, 2022

Don't miss it

Health and Wellbeing

Pizza Quinoa Casserole – Fit Foodie Finds

September 24, 2023
Mental Wellness

How Much Does Hydroxyzine Cost Without Insurance? — Talkspace

September 24, 2023
Mental Wellness

Struggling With Crying During School Drop-off? You are not a

September 24, 2023
News

Q&A: The status of the Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act

September 24, 2023
Family Wellness

Drawing Closer to God and Each Other

September 24, 2023
Family Wellness

Best Pumpkin Spice Treats in New York City

September 23, 2023

© Wellness For Life News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • News
  • Family Wellness
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Mental Wellness
  • Contact us

Newsletter Sign Up

Loading
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Family Wellness
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Mental Wellness
  • Contact us

© 2022 Wellness For Life News Hubb All rights reserved.