Recent observations on the potential risks associated with increased screen time on young minds makes it essential to maintain a balance and promote healthy screen use habits among youth.
Key findings and statistics that support the ill effects of increased screen time on young minds:
1. *Mental Health Concerns:*
- Excessive screen time linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in teens (American Psychological Association, 2019)
- Social media use associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adults (Royal Society for Public Health, 2017)
2. *Sleep Disturbances:*
- Exposure to screens and blue light before bed disrupts sleep patterns and reduces sleep quality in children and teens (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2018)
3. *Social Skills and Relationships:*
- Excessive screen time linked to decreased face-to-face social skills and empathy in children (University of California, Los Angeles, 2019)
- Social media use associated with decreased attention span, deep thinking, and meaningful relationships (Sherry Turkle, MIT, 2015)
4. *Cognitive Development:*
- Excessive screen time linked to delayed cognitive development, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills (Hinkley et al., 2012)
5. *Addiction and Distraction:*
- Screen time activates brain's reward system, leading to potential addiction (Kuss & Griffiths, 2011)
- Excessive screen time linked to decreased productivity, increased distraction, and decreased academic performance (Király et al., 2019)
Key findings and statistics specific to India:
1. Mental Health Concerns:
- 70% of Indian children aged 8-12 years experience sleep disturbances due to screen time (Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 2019)
- 45% of Indian adolescents (13-18 years) show signs of depression, linked to excessive screen time (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2018)
2. Eye Health:
- 30% of Indian children aged 5-15 years suffer from myopia (nearsightedness) due to excessive screen time (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, 2018)
3. Cognitive Development:
- Indian children aged 3-6 years who exceed 2 hours of screen time daily show delayed cognitive development (Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 2018)
4. Academic Performance:
- Excessive screen time linked to decreased academic performance in Indian students (National Council of Educational Research and Training, 2019)
5. Screen Time Habits:
- Average Indian child spends 4-5 hours daily on screens (Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 2019)
- 60% of Indian parents allow children to use screens for more than 4 hours daily (National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, 2018)
These findings highlight the need for parents, educators, and policymakers in India to be aware of the potential risks associated with increased screen time on young minds and take steps to promote healthy screen use habits.
Here are some links that support the cause of bringing back our young ones by reducing screen time:
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/1-in-4-countries-has-banned-use-of-smartphones-in-schools-due-to-negative-impacts-un-report/cid/2038563
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2024/04/03/us-surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-urges-action-protecting-children-social-media-mental-health/73168558007/
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/23/surgeon-general-issues-new-advisory-about-effects-social-media-use-has-youth-mental-health.html
https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more
https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/public-health/screen-time-for-children-under-5?sso=y
The Petition:
*Title:* Help Youth Use Social Media platforms (like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Reddit, Twitch, Tik Tok, YouTube, WhatsApp, and all other such platforms) Healthily.
