A new study has challenged fears about screen time as it may not be as bad as many perceive it to be.
The study, conducted by the University of Manchester, found no links between excessive social media use or more frequent gaming and an increase in symptoms of anxiety or depression over the following year.
The researchers believe these findings challenge the widespread assumption that excessive screen time on these digital technologies is inherently harmful and highlight the need for more nuanced perspectives that highlight the need for approaches that consider context and personal choices.
Qiqi Cheng, lead author of the study, said: “We know families are worried, but our results do not support the idea that simply spending time on social media or gaming leads to mental health problems – the story is much more complex than that.”
The study, which appeared in Public health magazineexamined data from 25,000 students in the age group between 11 and 14 years for three consecutive academic years.
The research collected data on their social media use, gaming patterns, and depression symptoms such as anxiety and emotional depression.
The researchers analyzed the differences between active and passive use of social networks and the result was surprising.
The study found that the overall impact remains the same in both scenarios, whether a child becomes addicted to active scrolling or fatal scrolling.
In other words, this specific pattern of social media use did not appear to be the only factor affecting mental health problems.
The study further notes that research often exaggerates the risks of social media use while underexploring its benefits, such as fostering bonds, sharing life experiences, and therefore enabling self-expression that helps build self-confidence.
