In addition to mental health problems, suicide rates are increasing

Various negative aspects have been highlighted in various researches about giving cellphones to children. However, a recent report by the research institute Sapien Labs has revealed new information. It highlights that giving smartphones or devices in the hands of children is not only risky, but also that owning a cellphone at a young age increases children's virtual engagement, self-esteem and affects the tendency to commit suicide. Khabar Gizchina.

The report is based on data from 27,969 Generation Z (late 1990s and early 2000s) youth (aged 18-24) from 34 countries. It has also been noted that the mental health of young people in this age group begins to decline before the onset of the epidemic.

In 2021, Common Sense Media reports that teenagers aged 13-18 are spending an average of 8.4 hours per day on entertainment screens. Besides, those between the age of 8-12 years spend an average of 5.3 hours. Considering the potential impact of cellphones on children, experts are concerned.

According to a study by Sapien Labs, those between the ages of 18-24 who got their first cellphone (or tablet) at a relatively early age had better mental health than other children. Moreover, they are less prone to psychological problems, including suicidal thoughts, hostility towards others, and less realistic.

Cellphone use from childhood has increasingly negative effects on health later in life. The report also notes that the magnitude of this effect may be more negative for women.

 

According to the report, 60-70 percent of women whose children were given cellphones before the age of 10 had mental health problems in adulthood. Although men do not have a different immune system, they are less likely to suffer from such health problems. Among men who used cellphones before age 10, 45-50 percent experienced similar problems in old age. The report also shows that those who received cellphones relatively late in childhood are mentally healthy for longer.

Sapien Labs' data is based on ongoing surveys of global mental health related to a variety of lifestyles and experiences. The survey started in 2019. So 2010 data is missing here. But it does highlight where young adults are today and how much their mental health changes are related to cellphone use since childhood.

Cellphones may be responsible for a continuing downward trend in mental health among 18-24 year olds, the report suggests. Because before the Internet age, young people spent about 15,000 to 25,000 hours in direct communication and interaction with family, friends or acquaintances until the age of 18. Cellphones have revolutionized mobility. The current generation suffers from lack of direct communication skills. This results in them becoming isolated from society and may feel suicidal, the report said. Source: Merchant Message