20180406【 Technology and Mental Health 】

Technology and Mental Health

No one can say definitively why teen suicide rates are rising.

However,Dr.Twenge sees a direct connection between the rise of mental health issues and the use of social media.

According to her study, eighth graders who spend from six to nine hours a week on social media are 47 percent more likely to say they are unhappy.

Heavy users of social media are 27 percent more at risk of depression.

Excessive use of social media can lead to a lack of sufficient sleep.

Difficulty in sleeping can contribute to , or even cause , depressive disorders.

But Dr.Twenge sees another problem.

Social media doesn't just have the power to connect kids day and night.

It also reinforces the age-old concern of being left out.

Today, teens might spend less time going out and being with friends in person.

When they do, it's always posted on social media , and those not invited are acutely aware of it .

Other factors, like cyberbullying , certainly also play a role.

So if anyone wants to stay connected to mental health, it might be better to put that phone away more often.