Latest news with #Duerden
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Passive scrolling causes teens' risk of anxiety and depression to increase
Two hours of passive scrolling can increase teenagers' risks of anxiety and depression. Neuroscientists studied 580 youngsters - who told them if they had pre-existing mental health conditions, their levels of anxiety, as well as if they had emotional and behavioural difficulties - for nine months. The time the teens spent looking at their devices, as well as their screen-use behaviours were also examined. The experts found 45 per cent of the 12 to 17-year-olds - who said they had no pre-existing mental health conditions - had psychiatric symptoms. Professor Emma Duerden, Canada's research chair in neuroscience and learning disorders, is quoted by MailOnline as saying: "This is really surprising. "It is much higher than we would expect to see. Before Covid, rates of anxiety in adolescents were between 8 and 15 per cent. Now, we see almost half of the sample size reporting heightened anxiety, which is alarming." She encouraged parents to limit their child's screen time to two hours or less a day because it would improve their wellbeing. Professor Duerden added: "In past studies, we've shown some teens reporting 15 hours of screen time a day. They wake up, go on a screen and stay the whole day. "This is a critical period for brain and behavioural development, including emotional regulation and impulse control."
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Is doomscrolling quietly damaging teen brains? Scientists warn it is more than just a waste of time
Scientists have revealed that excessive passive scrolling, or doomscrolling, is severely impacting teenage mental health. Teens glued to screens for over two hours daily showed dramatic increases in anxiety, depression, and impulsivity. With nearly half needing medical evaluation despite no prior issues, researchers urge parents to limit screen time and promote physical activity to protect developing adolescent brains. A new study warns that doomscrolling for more than two hours a day can double teens' risk of anxiety and quadruple their risk of depression. (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Habits to Harm: What the Study Found Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Researchers found that 45% of adolescents displayed psychiatric symptoms within nine months, highlighting how passive screen use is quietly fuelling a mental health crisis among youth during a critical stage of brain development. (Representational image: iStock) A Generation at Risk—and a Warning for Parents Beyond the Screen: The Fight to Reclaim Attention It may seem like harmless downtime—hours spent scrolling through social media feeds, mindlessly consuming content. But neuroscientists are sounding the alarm: for adolescents, this habit known as " doomscrolling " isn't just killing time—it could be harming their mental health in dangerous and lasting to a report from the Daily Mail, a new study has revealed that teens who spend more than two hours a day scrolling on phones or tablets double their risk of developing anxiety and are four times more likely to show signs of depression. The findings, published after a nine-month-long study of 580 adolescents, paint a sobering picture of how digital habits are quietly reshaping the emotional landscape of an entire research team, led by Professor Emma Duerden, Canada's Research Chair in Neuroscience and Learning Disorders , focused on adolescents aged 12 to 17 with no prior mental health diagnoses. Shockingly, by the end of the study, 45 percent of participants displayed psychiatric symptoms significant enough to warrant further medical evaluation."This is really surprising," said Prof Duerden. "Before COVID-19, rates of anxiety in adolescents were between 8 and 15 percent. Now, we see almost half of the sample reporting heightened anxiety, which is alarming."The study tracked not just the amount of screen time, but also the way it was used—whether teens were actively posting, chatting, or simply scrolling. It was the passive form of engagement, the relentless scroll of content without interaction—what's commonly called doomscrolling—that showed the strongest negative impact on mental comes against the backdrop of a worsening youth mental health crisis . NHS data from the UK shows that over 20 percent of children aged 8 to 16 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023—a sharp rise from 13 percent in Duerden emphasized that adolescence is a critical period for brain development, especially in areas governing emotion regulation and impulse control. "In past studies, we've seen teens report as much as 15 hours of daily screen time. They wake up, go on a screen, and stay on all day," she screen time to under two hours a day, while encouraging physical activity, is among the most effective ways to support adolescent well-being. But as any modern parent knows, the solution is easier said than new research doesn't just highlight the mental health dangers of digital overuse—it also signals a cultural crisis in how we engage with technology. Doomscrolling thrives on algorithms built for endless engagement, yet teens are increasingly paying the price in anxiety, depression, impulsiveness, and even question now isn't just how much time young people spend on their screens—but how that time is shaping their minds. As doomscrolling becomes a daily ritual for millions, scientists and parents alike are urging a rethink of what we consider "normal" digital behaviour.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Is doomscrolling quietly damaging teen brains? Scientists warn it is more than just a waste of time
It may seem like harmless downtime—hours spent scrolling through social media feeds, mindlessly consuming content. But neuroscientists are sounding the alarm: for adolescents, this habit known as " doomscrolling " isn't just killing time—it could be harming their mental health in dangerous and lasting ways. According to a report from the Daily Mail , a new study has revealed that teens who spend more than two hours a day scrolling on phones or tablets double their risk of developing anxiety and are four times more likely to show signs of depression. The findings, published after a nine-month-long study of 580 adolescents, paint a sobering picture of how digital habits are quietly reshaping the emotional landscape of an entire generation. From Habits to Harm: What the Study Found The research team, led by Professor Emma Duerden, Canada's Research Chair in Neuroscience and Learning Disorders , focused on adolescents aged 12 to 17 with no prior mental health diagnoses. Shockingly, by the end of the study, 45 percent of participants displayed psychiatric symptoms significant enough to warrant further medical evaluation. "This is really surprising," said Prof Duerden. "Before COVID-19, rates of anxiety in adolescents were between 8 and 15 percent. Now, we see almost half of the sample reporting heightened anxiety, which is alarming." The study tracked not just the amount of screen time, but also the way it was used—whether teens were actively posting, chatting, or simply scrolling. It was the passive form of engagement, the relentless scroll of content without interaction—what's commonly called doomscrolling—that showed the strongest negative impact on mental well-being. You Might Also Like: 'What a magical thing that is': Carl Sagan's wise words on reading books are the fresh breeze we need amid digital brain rot iStock Researchers found that 45% of adolescents displayed psychiatric symptoms within nine months, highlighting how passive screen use is quietly fuelling a mental health crisis among youth during a critical stage of brain development. (Representational image: iStock) A Generation at Risk—and a Warning for Parents This comes against the backdrop of a worsening youth mental health crisis . NHS data from the UK shows that over 20 percent of children aged 8 to 16 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023—a sharp rise from 13 percent in 2017. Prof Duerden emphasized that adolescence is a critical period for brain development, especially in areas governing emotion regulation and impulse control. "In past studies, we've seen teens report as much as 15 hours of daily screen time. They wake up, go on a screen, and stay on all day," she said. Limiting screen time to under two hours a day, while encouraging physical activity, is among the most effective ways to support adolescent well-being. But as any modern parent knows, the solution is easier said than done. Beyond the Screen: The Fight to Reclaim Attention This new research doesn't just highlight the mental health dangers of digital overuse—it also signals a cultural crisis in how we engage with technology. Doomscrolling thrives on algorithms built for endless engagement, yet teens are increasingly paying the price in anxiety, depression, impulsiveness, and even aggression. You Might Also Like: How 'doomscrolling' before bed is wrecking your health? New study confirms our fears The question now isn't just how much time young people spend on their screens—but how that time is shaping their minds. As doomscrolling becomes a daily ritual for millions, scientists and parents alike are urging a rethink of what we consider "normal" digital behaviour. You Might Also Like: What is 'zombie scrolling' and why it is more dangerous than 'doom scrolling'? Expert reveals
