Smartphones and Screen Time: Good and Bad Effects

Here’s an interesting article that takes a nuanced look at smartphone usage and its effects, particularly on teens. The author notes that while there are many who describe a correlation between the rise of smartphone usage and teen mental health issues, there are also those who point out the potential positive aspects of smartphone usage for youth having a hard time who find relief in reaching out through social media on their phones. Here is an excerpt:

“Dr. Ramsey Khasho, chief clinical officer at Children’s Health Council in Palo Alto, who works with youth in crisis, argues that it’s reductive to begin and end discussions of mental illness among youth by talking about smartphones and social media. According to Khasho, one of the reasons we see a rise in youth hospitalizations for mental health is because we’ve increased awareness of mental illnesses, making it more acceptable for parents to access treatment for their children.

“’I think we need to focus less on the social media part of it,’ he says. ‘There are many kids who are isolated and are able to get support through social media.’”

Here’s the link to the entire piece:

https://elemental.medium.com/the-complicated-relationship-between-screen-time-and-depression-95908a433186