Study Finds Link Between Screen Addiction and Suicidal Behaviors in Teens

A recent study published in JAMA reveals a connection between addiction to social media, mobile phones, and video games and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teenagers. Researchers analyzed data from over 4,000 participants aged 9 to 10, tracking addictive behaviors over the years. The study found that around a third of teens became increasingly addicted to social media by age 14, while a quarter showed increased addiction to mobile phones, and over 40% displayed signs of addiction to video games. These addictive behaviors were associated with a higher likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The study highlights the importance of recognizing signs of screen addiction and its impact on mental health in adolescents. (Npr)