Study found too many phones, screen use is related to a group of manic symptoms
A study by the University of California, San Francisco shows that preparatory courses may be expected to be higher in certain types of technology use and may be at a higher risk of manic symptoms.
The study, published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, analyzes a national sample of 9,243 children aged 10 to 11 in the United States.
Young people who spend more time interacting with social media, texting, videos and video games are more likely to “self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, dispersal, rapid speech, racing thoughts and impulsive behaviors, which are key features of bipolar-spectral disorders”.
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“This study underscores the importance of developing healthy screen usage habits early on,” said Dr. Kyle Ganson, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, in a press release.
“Future research could help us better understand the behavioral and brain mechanisms that link screening use to manic symptoms to help prevent and intervene efforts.”
In a recent study, overuse of social media, texting, videos, and video games among young people of certain ages was associated with higher risk of mental health problems. (Fox News)
Experts’ safer usage tips
To commemorate the day when the Global Unplugged (March 7), Verizon held its first “Digital Health Summit” in New York City to share insights on safe use of technology with the public.
Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, discusses the importance of setting digital boundaries, especially for children.
“Digital Health It should work for every age group, but we actually need a new blueprint for being parents because we have never experienced it before. ”
“People can build healthier relationships.”
“This digital age is new for all of us. There is no time in history that we can recycle how to deal with this.”
In another interview with Fox News Digital, Sampath shared compelling statistics on phone use, including findings from Verizon’s 2024 Consumer Connection Report.
The report shows that children and teenagers use social media for four to five hours a day and receive 250 to 275 notifications per day.
Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, showed at the Verizon Digital Wellness Summit in New York City on March 6, 2025. On the left, actor and talk show host Drew Barrymore. (Angelica Stable/Fox News Number)
It was also found that the children were exposed to their cell phones about 150 times a day.
One quarter of these activities occur during school hours.
“This inspired us to think people can build healthier relationships,” Sampath said.
The impact of technology on children
Dr. Keneisha Sinclair-Mcbride, a psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, also spoke on a group at Verizon events and was followed by Fox News Digital.
Experts point out that children spending “hours and hours” of free time on their phones can be “problematic”, especially given that they encounter threats such as cyberbullying and hate speech.
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“We know these are related to depression symptoms and other mental health issues,” she said.
“We also know that social connection, learning and entertainment are so positive, so we have to balance those two things.”
She notes that certain social media applications are “designed to get you in trouble” through algorithmic loops.
Experts suggest that socializing with others will have a positive impact on the child’s emotions. (iStock)
Sinclair-McBride warns that this problematic use can lead to poor functioning at work or school and can have a negative impact on sleep and relationships.
“Are they able to live their lives and do what they want and need to do?
Prompt parents, grandparents
Sinclair-Mcbride encourages parents and grandparents to understand the apps their children are using and teaches them to be “key consumers” of content by training them to discover scams, misinformations, or AI-generated content.
“Slow down, be more thoughtful and pay attention to your work is the first step in modeling as a parent,” she told Fox News Digital.
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“Parents can also look at their use. [ask]’Am I too many on my phone? Am I addicted to social media, too? ”
The CEO also urged adults to set boundaries involving phone use, whether limited to certain spaces in the home or specific times of the day.
“You feel happier when you do things in real life.” (iStock)
“Create space for fun”
Sampath shares simple suggestions for families to ensure a healthy balance between technology use and plug-in activity.
He advises: “Go to the movies. Go for a walk. Go play games or play games with friends. Or just hang out in the kitchen with family and do fun things.”
“I think kids have to do anything sometimes…read, just hang out,” he said.
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“Kids will have to be more comfortable – it’s part of the health frontier, it’s part of a good relationship with technology.”
Sampath also encourages Americans to take advantage of living in areas where “some of the best weather” and “the best natural attractions in the world” by exploring outdoor spaces and moving more.
“The time people use digital technology needs to be balanced with things in real life, whether it’s sports, art, creative activities, reading or actual hands-on, tangible things.” (iStock)
“You want to create space for fun. You want to create space for fun. You want to create space for physical exercise, have real relationships.”
“It has long-term benefits for mental health…you feel happier when you do things in real life.”
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Sinclair-McBride responded to the advice of going outside and “touching the grass.”
“The time people use digital technology needs to be balanced with things in real life, whether it’s sports, art, creative activities, reading or actual hands-on, tangible things,” she said.
Experts advocate giving children more time to explore tangible activities and hobbies rather than defaulting to digital. (iStock)
She added: “I think people are in this mindset that this generation wants to do numbers, numbers, numbers.”
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“They still like other things, too. We have to give them the choice of time, space and freedom.”
