Screen Time & Bipolar Disorder: Risk for 10-Year-Olds

New research links increased screen time, particularly on social media and video games, to the development of mania and bipolar disorder symptoms in 10-year-old children.

The three-year study, published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, examined more than 9,000 children in America. The results showed that excessive time on phones, tablets, and computers may be associated with manic symptoms.

Researchers from the University of California San Francisco, the University of Toronto, and other schools, found that children who spend more time on social media and video games are more likely to exhibit symptoms such as irregular bursts of energy, racing thoughts, and reduced sleep.

The study concluded that the age of 10-11 years is critical for negative digital impact. Social media had the strongest relationship with manic symptoms, followed by texting, watching videos, and video games.

Researchers emphasize that pre-adolescence is a critical period for brain development and that problematic use of social media and games can reinforce compulsive use through reward mechanisms.

Source: ygeiamou.gr