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Essay NT

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Diego Santos
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13 views4 pages

Essay NT

Uploaded by

Diego Santos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE EXCESSIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE

DEVELOPMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS LIKE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Currently, the technology has opened links for people to easily access information, help and
support. Today technology is more present in children's lives, and it is important to decide
at what age children should have a phone, as phone use can have long-lasting effects at a
young age. One of the important factors is the time that children spend in front of the screen
and the use of social networks among children and adolescents has been related to a higher
prevalence of mental health problems. Recent research has indicated that Internet addiction,
particularly among younger demographics, such as teens, is becoming a widespread
problem. It has been linked to depression, low self-esteem and loneliness, symptoms that
often lead to diagnosable mental illness and worsening of problems that were already
present. Passive use of social networking sites is specifically linked to being a risk factor
for higher levels of depression. Overall, in terms of the relationship between screen use and
physical and mental health outcomes, there have been several studies that suggest that
higher levels of screen use in children and adolescents are associated with reduced physical
activity, an increased risk of depression and a decrease in well-being. For this reason, I
think it is so important to talk about the excessive use of technology and its relationship
with the development of mental illness, like depression and anxiety.

Prevalence
While not all mental health concerns among young people can be
linked to technology, it is important to recognize the vast amount
of children who are impacted by these issues. Research finds that
1 in every 5 children between the ages 13-18 have, or will have, a
serious mental illness before they reach adulthood. Within this
group of children:
 11% are mood disorders
 10% are behavior or conduct disorders
 8% are anxiety disorders
Unfortunately, the effects of technology on children and youth are
not only spreading to a larger population, but they have also
shown to be long-lasting as well. To put things into perspective,
about 50% of lifetime mental illness cases started at the age of 14
and 75% began by the age of 24. With this in mind, it is important
to take cautionary steps to mitigate potential risk factors for our
children, including their access to technology. These steps can
include adding parental controls to limit the amount of time your
children can have on their mobile device or while watching
television. It is important to keep in mind how a child’s exposure
to technology and social media can leave a lasting impact on their
mental health.
As their parents, it is your duty to find other activities for your
children to become involved in. Whether that means enrolling them
in a child’s summer camp, putting them in art classes, or even just
organizing extra parent-child bonding activities throughout the
week. Being involved in these other activities can have positive
effects on children’s behavior and their quality of life. Having different
activities available means that your children will not solely have to depend on a screen for
entertainment. Ultimately, focusing less on technology usage and prioritizing other
activities can stimulate your child’s brain and have positive effects that will ultimately
benefit your child.

How You Can Help?


It may be nearly impossible to avoid technology in all forms, but it
is important to monitor your kids and limit the amount of time
spent on social media or looking at a screen. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends less than one to two hours of
entertainment screen time per day for children and discourages
the use of any screen media by children under two years of age.
Additionally, using screens for communicating with friends and
loved ones may be beneficial for some children and teenagers, but
it is important that parents monitor this use to ensure that it is
positive. It is recommended that parents and caregivers use
technology alongside children and youth, and engage them in
discussions about safe and healthy media use. This can help your
child create healthier habits when it comes to using technology
and social media that will benefit them in the future.
Because children don’t start showing symptoms until they are
around 8 to 10 years old, mental illness in kids can go undetected.
As parents, it’s imperative that you learn the tell-tale signs and
symptoms associated with mental health disorders so you can get
your child the treatment they need should an issue be present.
Below are some of the most common warning signs in teens and
adolescents:
 Extreme mood swings
 Drug or alcohol use
 Severe changes in sleeping habits, personality traits, and behavior
 Difficult time concentrating
 Extreme sense of worry or fear during daily activities
 Attempting to harm one’s self or thinking about it
 Partaking in risky behaviors that can lead to harming themselves
or others
 Sudden weight loss or weight gain
 Feeling withdrawal or sad
 Signs of addictive behavior in regards to the internet
If you suspect that your child may be experiencing a mental health
condition, do not wait to seek help. There is no shame in going to
a doctor or clinical psychologist that specializes in counseling for
kids when it comes to mental disorders. If you don’t know where
to go for help, consider talking to your child’s school counselor,
their pediatrician, or even a mental health specialist within your
area. Natural alternatives to drugs include CBD for kids, which
has shown promise in treating anxiety and signs of depression in
children prone to ADHD.
Even if your child is not showing symptoms of a mental health
disorder but appears to be a little too attached to their phone or
computer, it’s important that you sit down with them and explain
the dangers of technology. Creating these boundaries and
informing your children about potential threats is an excellent way
to stay prepared should an issue arise. Create an open discussion
with your children and listen to their thoughts and concerns about
social media. Does screen time support their health and well-
being? Do they show depressive symptoms when talking about
their social networks? Moving forward, try to be as vigilant as
possible when it comes to monitoring their screen time. By being
prepared and being open with your children, you’ll hopefully be
able to prevent or worsen mental health conditions within your
kids. And remember, if your child does need mental health
treatment, get them help as soon as possible.

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