A 2019 study by the Mayo Clinic, though, of more than 6,500 12-to-15-year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spent more than three hours a day using social media might be at risk for developing mental health issues such as social withdrawal, depression, and anxiety. The findings, which were published in the journal Pediatrics, provide further evidence of the potential harms of excessive social media use among young people.
The study surveyed 6,500 young people aged 12 to 15 and asked them to report how much time they spent on social media each day. The researchers found that those who used social media for more than three hours a day reported higher levels of internalizing behaviors, such as social withdrawal and depression, than those who used it for less than three hours.
The study also found that excessive social media use was correlated with higher levels of externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and rule-breaking. The findings suggest that young people should be aware of the potential harms of spending too much time on social media and take steps to reduce their use.
The researchers also point out that social media can have positive effects on young people, such as building relationships and providing a space for self-expression. They emphasize that it is important to strike a balance between the benefits and risk of social media use.
The study's lead author, Dr. Jenny Radesky, said that the findings should encourage parents to be mindful of their children's digital media use. She also suggested that parents should be aware of the potential harms of excessive social media use and talk to their children about the potential risk.
The study's findings are in line with previous research that has linked excessive social media use to negative mental health outcomes. A 2018 study of more than 10,000 adolescents in the U.S. found that those who spent more than three hours a day on social media reported higher levels of depression and anxiety than those who used it for less than three hours.
The study's findings also provide further evidence of the potential harms of excessive social media use, which can lead to problems with sleep, concentration, and self-esteem. The researchers suggest that it is important for parents to be aware of the potential risk associated with excessive social media use and to help their children to strike a balance between the benefits and risk.
The study's authors caution that their findings should not be taken as a cause-and-effect relationship between social media use and mental health issues. They point out that the study was only able to establish an association between the two and that more research is needed to understand the relationship between social media use and mental health.
The findings of the study suggest that it is important for parents to be aware of the potential harms of excessive social media use and to be mindful of their children's digital media use. It is also important for parents to talk to their children about the potential risk associated with spending too much time on social media and to help them to strike a balance between the benefits and risk.
The study's findings also provide further evidence of the potential harms of excessive social media use. It is important for parents to be mindful of their children's digital media use and to talk to their children about the potential risk associated with spending too much time on social media.
The study's findings have important implications for the way that young people use social media. It is important for parents to be aware of the potential harms of excessive social media use and to talk to their children about the potential risk associated with spending too much time on social media.
The study is an important reminder that parents should be mindful of their children's digital media use and to talk to their children about the potential risk associated with spending too much time on social media. It is also important for parents to help their children to strike a balance between the benefits and risk of social media use.
The findings of the study suggest that it is important for parents to be aware of the potential harms of excessive social media use and to talk to their children about the potential risk associated with spending too much time on social media. It is also important for parents to help their children to strike a balance between the benefits and risk of social media use.
The findings of the study underscore the importance of striking a balance between the potential benefits and risk of social media use. It is important for parents to be aware of the potential harms of excessive social media use and to talk to their children about the potential risk associated with spending too much time on social media.
