Kids and young adults are addicted to screens. New research argues it may be a public health concern
A new series of research papers published in The Lancet highlights the growing public health concerns regarding screen addiction among children and young adults. Researchers argue that excessive digital device use is linked to developmental, mental, and physical health issues, and they are calling for tech companies to be held accountable.
Why it matters
This research signals a potential shift toward treating digital media consumption as a public health crisis, which could lead to increased regulation of tech platforms.
"My son understands that he's addicted," said Chrysanthou, the Toronto-based board chair of the advocacy group Children First Canada. She says he's asked her for help to stop using his digital device so much, but the minute she turns her back, he's reaching for it again.
Her son is like millions of other kids around the world whose physical and mental well-being are at risk because of excess screen time, according to a new series of research papers published Sunday by medical journal The Lancet.
It's a broad review of international studies that allowed researchers to distill the potential harms and benefits of digital technology, and offers a sense of "what needs to happen to protect children's health," said co-author Jay Shaw, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto's Department of Physical Therapy.
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