From nearsightedness to self-harm: Meta-review looks at how digital media impacts young people’s health
Digital media has become inescapable, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about its effects on young people’s physical and mental health. But we do have enough evidence of its harms to warrant government action, say the authors of a series on “digital determinants of health” published today in The Lancet . The three-paper series and related meta-review , which analyzed existing research that…
The growing ubiquity of digital media has raised concerns about its impact on young people's health, prompting a comprehensive review in The Lancet. Experts from ten countries analyzed data from over nine million individuals under 25, uncovering consistent links between excessive digital media use and various health issues. These include obesity, nearsightedness, lower back pain, and risks associated with cardiovascular health.
The review also found that problematic digital media use, characterized by addiction-like behaviors, is associated with negative outcomes such as obesity, nearsightedness, lower back pain, and cardiometabolic risk across different age groups.
The effects varied by age group. For children, high screen time was tied to poorer socio-emotional and cognitive development, increased anxiety and depression, and poor sleep quality. Adolescents faced their own set of challenges, with specific digital engagement patterns linked to reduced quality of life, sleep issues, decreased physical activity, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and substance use.
While some research suggests beneficial uses like educational content with caregivers and active video games, the majority of associations reported were adverse.
The complexity of digital media use presents significant methodological challenges for researchers. Self-reported data is fraught with limitations, and accessing the full extent of data from technology companies is often restricted. Critics argue that tech companies employ tactics reminiscent of those used by the tobacco and fossil fuel industries to undermine research and discredit critics.
In response, the study authors advocate for a public health approach to regulating digital media, calling for more research and regulatory measures. They stress that current single interventions, such as app age limits, are insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive public health strategy is necessary to counteract industry influence and promote safety and trust in technology.
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