Too much screen time increases suicidal thoughts for college students

New research reveals that excessive screen time and online harassment elevate the risk of suicidal thoughts in college students. Seungbin Oh, an assistant professor of mental health counseling and behavioral medicine at Boston University, led the study, which analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Network, a consortium of researchers from various universities.

The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, involved US college students aged 18 to 25. Oh explained that the findings indicate a significant correlation between increased screen usage and the heightened risk of suicidal ideation among this demographic. The surge in suicide rates among young people, which rose by 62% from 2007 to 2021 according to the CDC, underscores the urgency of addressing these mental health concerns.