Hello my friends, Good Morning to all of you. I hear that you all are watching too much reels and shorts which is not good for you. A recent study conducted by researchers at McGill University in Canada has raised discussions about the possible link between excessive screen time or in simpler words i say, the excessive use of mobile phone, tablets and laptops (especially features like Instagram Reels and Youtube Shorts) in teenagers and the risk of developing psychosis later in life.
The study, titled “Adolescent Screens and Young Adult Psychosis: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study,” Yes i know that it sounds too much scientific but why i’m here? let me make it much more easier for you. This study says a relationship between heavy smartphone and video game use during teenage and an increased probability of experiencing psychotic disorder in later. (yeah that’s sound cool, but it isn’t)
![Is Too Much Screen Time Bad for Your Mental Health?](https://m31globalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Is-Too-Much-Screen-Time-Bad-for-Your-Mental-Health-1024x576.png)
In this article we will search into the details of How the Mobile and Social Apps Like Instagram and Facebook Will Make You Mentally Disable? and we’ll also explore the concept of psychosis, and discuss the each and every possible explanation of the opinions. So let’s start our research on understanding the complex relationship between use of technology and mental health.
What is Psychosis?
So first of all we have to understand what is this term called “Psychosis”? It is a mental health disorder described by a disconnection from reality. People experiencing psychosis may have difficulty differentiate between their thoughts and real world understanding and what is actually happening around them. In simpler terms i can say Psychosis is basically when your brain mixes up what’s real and what’s not.
People with psychosis might see or hear things that aren’t there, or believe things strongly that aren’t actually true. It’s actually like that you may think that you are elon musk and you just walk around your home and feel that it’s Tesla Motors Office and you make your parents your manager and another example is that you don’t have any girlfriend but you suppose to be a very dashing boy and every girl who just saw is like getting crazy for you and say “OMG who’s this handsome?” but in reality you are not you’re a normal boy. It can be really scary and confusing.
Symptoms of psychosis can include:
- Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. I mean the freaking conecpt of “Ghost” 👻. Just stay tuned on m31globalnews and in a few days we’ll publish another seperate article on Ghosts and how they affect our way of thinking?
- Delusions or Watching dreams in daytime: Create false situations that are not based on reality.
- Disorganized thinking and speech: Difficulty forming clear and logical thoughts or expressing them clearly.
- Paranoia: Feeling suspicious or distrustful of others without justification.
Psychosis can be a paralysing condition, significantly impacting a person’s daily life and relationships. It’s important to take professional help if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of psychosis.
-Affilate Product-
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91W670RIOdL._SY466_.jpg)
Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids – and How to Break the Trance
About this Item
This book explores the impact of technology on our brains, bodies, and relationships. It provides practical advice on how to create healthy tech habits for the whole family.
In simpler terms i say that if anything from the all above happens with you then take your mobile phone and just throw it away from yourself or if you may getting beated by you parents after doing this then just simply give you phone to your parents and tell them to not give it back to you and also tell them to read this article, and the main thing before giving your phone to your parents is just check you phone that everything is hidden or not, you know what i mean to say like your girlfriend chats and the memes your bestfriend send to you becasue if anyone sees this then definitely you’ll be paralised.
The Study: Screens and Psychosis
The McGill University study involved following a group of over 2,000 Canadians born in 1997 and 1998. Researchers monitored their screen time habits during teenage years, including video game use, computer use, and social media engagement. In their early twenties (around 23 years old), the participants were check out for psychotic experiences.
The study found a relation between higher screen time in teenagers and a almost increased risk of psychotic experiences later in life. Specifically, those who reported heavy smartphone and social media use were more likely to show symptoms like paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations compared to those with lower screen time. Interestingly, the study also found that even participants who significantly reduced their screen time in young age still had a higher presence of psychotic experiences.
-Affilate Product-
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81BTIj5ux0L._SX679_.jpg)
Galaxy Raiders Stem Strategy Board Game For 9 Years To Improve Maths, Numbers, Counting And Problem Solving, Space Travel Theme With 6 Planet Boards, 2 To 4 Players
About this Item
🚀MASTER MULTIPLE SKILLS Help your kids acquire essential life skills like problem solving, resource management and moral values like patience and learning from failure
🚀AT HOME OR IN SCHOOL Effective in the classroom to improve cognitive ability and peer learning; handy to reduce screen time and improve social interactions with family
🚀DESIGNED FOR ENGAGEMENT Easy to learn with a kid friendly rulebook and a game tutorial video; Outer space theme and choice of planets raise interest and promote interactivity
What Does This Mean?
The decisions of this study raise important questions about the possible impact of technology use on mental health in young people. However, it’s crucial to explain the results with caution. Here are some key points to consider:
- Correlation vs. Causation: The study establishes a similarity between higher screen time and psychosis risk, but it doesn’t prove that one directly causes the other. There could be other basic factors influencing both behaviors.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Some teenagers who might already be at risk for seeing things that aren’t there (psychosis) might use phones and video games more than others. Maybe it helps them feel better, or maybe they have trouble connecting with people face-to-face. Here I’m talking about shy people who don’t want to go out and only want to stay on home and playing games and watching movies on Netfilx or if they don’t have Netfilx then they are watching useless videos on youtube and instagram. I don’t understand why these people do this? You are a human not a robot who don’t have feelings. Guys just take a brake, have a kitkat and go out from your house and enjoy the nature, enjoy your surroundings, talk with your parents and grand parents ask them some silly questions, do some creativity make your own DIY models, stop-motion animations and cartoons. Help your mother or simply go to your backyard and give water to your plants or if you want to do something creative in your backyard then please comment down below and we’ll post some article of what things you can do in your backyard from playing, doing something scientific or cooking food, believe me it’s truly amazing. Do something that your body want not your dopamine just like my female friend who is watching reels and youtube shorts everytime and spend her whole day on Instagram. I don’t know why she is that much crazy?
- Social and Developmental Factors: The study doesn’t think for the quality of screen time. Social media use that promote social comparison or cyberbullying could have a different impact on mental health than playing educational games. Yes i know that cyberbullying is not good it’s a crime but simply think that why anyone bullies you in a computer world or in real life, make you mind strong make you vision power very tough that anyone dosen’t have the courage to bullies you be a Sigma! If you want an specific article on cyberbullying and it’s prevention then please comment down below.
-Affilate Product-
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61cKuyTdLvL._SL1200_.jpg)
Hasbro Gaming Battleship Board Game
Note:
Board Games/Puzzles: As an alternative to screen time, you can play some engaging board games or puzzles that encourage family interaction and critical thinking skills.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61qdK1PEaAL._SX679_.jpg)
Monopoly Ultimate Banking Edition Board Game, Includes Electronic Banking Unit, Fun Board Game for Families and Kids
Note:
Board Games/Puzzles: As an alternative to screen time, you can play some engaging board games or puzzles that encourage family interaction and critical thinking skills.
- Reverse Causality: It’s also possible that individuals experiencing early symptoms of psychosis move towards screen time as a form of Isolation from society or due to difficulties with social interaction.
Why Short-Form Content Might Not Be the Best for Your Mind
Social media is now a best friend these days, and platforms like Instagram and Youtube have mastered the art of getting our attention with quick short from of entertainment. While these reels and shorts can be fun and informative in small doses, there’s growing concern that continuously watching these short-form content might not be good for our mind.
Here’s why constantly watching short videos like reels and shorts might have some downsides:
- Attention Loss: Our brains increase on freshness. Short-form content is designed to be rapid and constantly changing, which keeps us engaged but can also make it harder to focus on longer tasks that require sustained attention.
- Information Overload: We’re stucked with bit of information (reels) from different sources, making it difficult to keep anything meaningful. It’s like rapidly changing through a giant textbook without ever stopping to actually read a page. I mean to say that the short content like reels or shorts is changing rapidly and due to this we can’t built our focus on main things just like you may have experienced that sometimes when you just open Youtube for watching and educational or informative video, after sometimes you found that you are consuming shorts similarly on other apps like instagram when you just open your instagram for talking someting to your friend or then after sometime when they goes offline then suddenly you redirected to reels and forget why you open instagram.
- Comparison Trap: Social media feeds are often highlight reels, showcasing people’s best moments. Endlessly scrolling through these can lead to feelings of insufficiency and dissatisfaction with our own lives. The social media is only shows you that everyone is happy and wealthy and only you are very alone and sad in this entire planet the social media only wants you to watch the irrelevent content like motivational videos and wealthy and happy life of other people instead of showing something useful for you.
- Passive Consumption: Short clips don’t require much mental effort to consume. Over time, this passive intake might make it harder to engage in activities that require deeper thinking and analysis.
How Watching Long Videos Different From The Short Form?
While short-form content might have its drawbacks, watching longer documentaries, educational videos, or in-depth articles can offer some clear benefits:
- Deeper Dives: Longer content allows us to explore topics in more detail, providing a richer understanding of the subject that matter.
- Improved Focus: Engaging with complex ideas for a constant period can strengthen our concentration skills and ability to filter out distractions.
- Enhanced Memory: When we invest time in learning something new, we’re more likely to retain the information for the long term.
- Active Engagement: Longer content often requires us to think critically, analyze information, and form our own opinions, promoting a more active learning process.
Remember, social media is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or bad. By being conscious of how short-form content might be affecting you and incorporating longer-form content into your social media diet, you can create a more balanced and enriching online experience.
Moving Forward: Responsible Tech Use and Mental Health Support
While the long-term effects of technology on mental health require further investigation, the McGill University study highlights the importance of promoting healthy screen habits in children and teenagers. Here are some tips for parents and guardian:
- Set Screen Time Limits: Mention clear guidelines for daily screen time and ensure there are screen-free periods throughout the day when your child dosen’t use his or her mobile phones for some fixed hours. If he or she do it then beat him coz if you don’t beat your children on their mistakes then you are doing wrong parenting. I don’t want to comment on anyone and i respect everyone’s opinion but this is my personal opinoin.
- Focus on Quality Content: Encourage children to engage with educational and interactive games, apps, and websites or tell them to kindly visit m31globalnews. Monitor social media use and promote responsible online behavior. For monitoring your chindren’s phone uses you can set child mode in you children phone or you can also use Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. If you don’t understand this terms then simply drop a comment i will write some article on this particluar topic.
- Prioritize Face-to-Face Interaction: Promote real-world connections by encouraging outdoor activities, social interaction with friends, and participation in hobbies and sports.
- Open Communication: Create an open and supportive environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences and any mental health concerns they might have. Be frank with your children, don’t create anykind of pressure on them like study or future pressures make them enjoy their life just simply guide them when you find them in a wrong track.
- Look for Professional Help: If you find your child is struggling with excessive screen time or showing symptoms of psychosis, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor or if you don’t want to to do this all then be strict with you children because it’s the matter for their life if you teach your children well then they also teach their children very well.
Conclusion: Finding Your Way
In today’s rapid world, social media platforms have become masters of capturing our attention with short form content. While short-form videos and posts can be a fun and convenient way to stay entertained and informed, there’s growing evidence that a constant stream of short content might have some downsides for our mental well-being.
The good news is that you have control over your social media experience. By being mindful of how you’re using these platforms, incorporating longer-form content into your mix, and engaging actively with content that inspires you, you can create a social media plan that’s both enjoyable and enriching. Remember, a healthy balance is key.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you’re concerned about your mental health or suspect you might be struggling with social media addiction, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
“Adolescent Screens and Young Adult Psychosis: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study.” Oscar García-García et al., JAMA Psychiatry, online publication date October 23, 2019
Oscar García-García et al., JAMA Psychiatry, online publication date October 23, 2019
Refrences
- Additional Resources on Psychosis:
- National Institute of Mental Health: https://infocenter.nimh.nih.gov/publications/understanding-psychosis
- Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443
The Team, M31Global News
FAQs
This article explored the potential link between excessive screen time and mental health in teenagers. Let’s delve deeper into some related questions you might have:
Are blueray light glasses effective?
Blue light glasses have become increasingly popular. They come with special lenses that filter out some blue light, which some studies suggest might help with:
Eye strain: Staring at screens for long periods can cause eye pain and discomfort. Blue light glasses might offer some relief from these symptoms, though the evidence is not conclusive.
Improved sleep: By reducing blue light exposure in the evening, blue light glasses might help regulate your sleep cycle and make it easier to fall asleep.
Here are some things to keep in mind about blue light glasses:
The research is mixed: While some studies show benefits, others haven’t found a significant impact.
They might not be a magic bullet: If you’re experiencing eye strain or sleep problems, blue light glasses might be worth trying, but they should be used simultaneously with other healthy habits like taking screen breaks and maintaining a good sleep hygiene routine.
Not all blue light glasses are created equal: Look for glasses with lenses that have a reputable certification for blue light filtering.
Can limiting screen time actually improve my mental health?
There’s growing evidence that suggests a connection. Reducing screen time might:
Reduce stress and anxiety: Constant notifications and social media comparisons can contribute to feeling disturbance. Less screen time can free up space for relaxation and activities you enjoy.
Improve sleep quality: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your sleep cycle. Limiting screen time before bed can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
Boost mood: Excessive screen time can be isolating and lead to feelings of insufficiency. Spending more time interacting with others and engaging in real-world activities can improve your mood and overall well-being.
What are some healthy screen time habits?
Here are some tips for developing healthy screen time habits:
Set limits: Decide on daily or weekly screen time limits and follow them.
Schedule screen-free times: Dedicate specific times of the day (like evenings or meals) to be completely screen-free.
Take breaks: Look away from the screen every 20 minutes or so and focus on something else for a few moments.
Choose quality content: Prioritize educational apps, games, and websites over mindless scrolling.
Get active: Balance screen time with physical activity and spending time outdoors.
Prioritize sleep: Establish a regular sleep schedule and avoid screens before bed.
Open communication: Talk to yourself about healthy screen habits and the importance of balance.