New research from UGA shows when younger children have access to smartphones, it can lead to a negative impact on their mental health.
Two new studies from the University of Georgia reveal that cellphones may have a negative impact on youth, causing an impact on family relationships and children's mental health. This can lead to adolescents internalizing their problems and comparing themselves to others.
Studies from the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences suggest that electronic media use can increase family conflict and widen the gap in sharing emotion between children and parents, especially in young girls.
“As kids are becoming differentiated from their parents because of these profound neurological and biological emotional changes, we saw social media cause a variety of disagreements, trouble with resolution, fighting and expressions of anger,” said Cory Carvalho, lead author of the study and an alumnus of the University of Georgia.
The study also revealed that parents may be less aware of their child's anxiety or depression the earlier a child gets a smartphone. Researchers suggest to parents that they delay getting a smartphone until their child is older or place a limit on screentime and prioritize family face-to-face interactions.
