Social Media Linked To Attention Problems In Children

Researchers tracking over 8,300 US children from ages 10 to 14 found social media use damages concentration and may fuel rising ADHD diagnoses. The study discovered children spent 1.4 hours daily on social media, increasing from 30 minutes at age nine to 2.5 hours by age 13. Professor Torkel Klingberg said “Our study suggests that it is specifically social media that affects children’s ability to concentrate.” Social media showed links to “increased inattention symptoms” while TV watching and video games did not. The research found social media use climbed as children aged, with many using platforms before the minimum age of 13. ADHD diagnoses among children rose from 9.5% in 2003-07 to 11.3% in 2020-22. Study author Samson Nivins hopes findings help “parents and policymakers make well-informed decisions on healthy digital consumption.” (Story URL)