Teen smartphone use heightens chance of ADHD, experts warn
If you’re a parent debating whether to allow a young child a smartphone, new research suggests that the devices are linked to a much higher risk of ADHD.
Teenagers who frequently use phones or tablets are twice as likely to develop symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, according to experts.
The sheer amount of entertainment – from Facebook and Twitter, text messaging and music downloads – has made the devices more seductive for young people, the researchers warn.
The researchers monitored 2,587 young people over two years in Los Angeles County.
“We can say with confidence that teens who were exposed to higher levels of digital media were significantly more likely to develop ADHD symptoms in the future,” Professor Adam Leventhal said.
“This study raises concern whether the proliferation of high-performance digital media technologies may be putting a new generation of youth at risk for ADHD.”
Professor Leventhal says the study provides up-to-date research on an ever changing world of technology, with previous studies done prior to the introduction of social media, tablets and mobile apps.
“New, mobile technologies can provide fast, high-intensity stimulation accessible all day, which has increased digital media exposure far beyond what’s been studied before,” he said.
ADHA is a chronic condition including hyperactivity, impulsiveness and attention difficulty.
