Frequent use of video games and less time in nature may affect the mental health of children and adolescents: a study

With the rise of electronic media, many children stay locked up in their homes, spending a lot of time (video games and television) on their screens, but with little to do with nature. According to a new study, this behavior is associated with positive mental health, mental ability, and poor levels of academic performance.

This pattern of heavy use of electronic media and long screen times can lead to mental illness. 1 Investigation It turns out that children who spend more time in front of the screen tend to be more distracting and more likely to face more problems completing tasks or building new friendships. “The parents often talk about the time their children spend in front of the screen and the time they spend outdoors,” said Tasia Oswald, a PhD student at the University of Adelaide, to MEA Worldwide (MEAWW). Not surprisingly, looking at the evidence, we haven’t taken a step back to determine if this combination of “high screen time” and low “green time” is actually harmful to young people,” she explained.

Therefore, Oswald and his colleagues scrutinized the data from 186 studies and collected evidence for links between screen time, green time, and psychological outcomes such as mental health, mental performance, and child or adolescent academic achievement. Did. They found a link between high screen time and lower levels of positive mental health, mental performance, academic performance, and other outcomes. More green time had strong ties that positively impacted psychological well-being and learning. The study also pointed to poor information about the impact of screen-time on children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, adding that they are likely to be affected disproportionately.

There is no clear reason for more screen time to harm children, but experts believe the theory may be working. According to Oswald, heavy use of electronic media may leave little time for children to protect their mental health, such as physical activity, sleep, and social interactions. “But more research is needed to investigate the role of these variables in the pathway between screen time and mental health,” she explained.

Other questions about links

Further investigation can address some questions. For example, Oswald asked in a survey what is the best constituent of green time.

Furthermore, the analysis found very little information about the impact of common technologies such as tablets and smartphones. “They are endemic in our lives,” she said, and adding that many previous studies focused on television, computers, and video games. “Finally, we need more research to examine the effects of both screen time and green time,” Oswald said. Experts still do not understand whether poor mental health is due to long screen times, low green times, or a combination of the two.

According to Oswald, the study did not consider the effect of screening or the impact of green time on mental health in this study. We also did not investigate how educational content or violent video games affected children. Nevertheless, parents can ensure that their children get a natural dose. “Giving young people close access to safe, high-quality green spaces is the first step to spending more time outdoors,” Oswald explains. “This is especially important at this point in terms of pandemics. If you don’t have a nice park within 5 km of some people’s homes, you’re missing out on the mental health benefits of nature.”

This study PLOS..

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have questions about a medical condition, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health care provider.