The impact of increased screen time on children's mental health and OCD
Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
During the pandemic, children's screen time has significantly increased, doubling from previous levels.
This surge in screen usage raises concerns about its impact on mental health, particularly the risk of developing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Screen Time and OCD: Understanding the Connection
Recent research highlights a concerning link between increased screen time and the development of OCD in children.
Let’s get concrete AF. For each additional hour per day that preteens spend playing video games, their risk of developing OCD later in life increases by 13%. Similarly, every extra hour spent watching videos raises this risk by 11%. Dr. Jason Nagata, the study’s first author, elaborated:
"Children who spend excessive time playing video games report feeling the need to play more and more and being unable to stop despite trying. Intrusive thoughts about video game content could develop into obsessions or compulsions."
Recognizing the Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD is characterized by unreasonable fears (obsessions) that folks try to alleviate through specific behaviors (compulsions). Those with OCD feel compelled to perform these actions, even against their will. Approximately 2.3% of people will experience OCD at some point in their lives. Dr. Nagata noted:
"Screen addictions are associated with compulsivity and loss of behavioral control, which are core symptoms of OCD."
How the study was conducted
The study tracked the screen usage of nearly 10,000 young people aged 9-10 years over two years, excluding educational screen time. The findings revealed that the average daily screen time was just under four hours. After two years, 4.4% of preteens had developed OCD, which was correlated with increased use of video games and streaming videos. Dr. Nagata observed:
"Although screen time can have important benefits such as education and increased socialization, parents should be aware of the potential risks, especially to mental health. Families can develop a media use plan which could include screen-free times including before bedtime."
Potential Mechanisms Linking Screen Time to OCD
While the exact reasons why increased screen time contributes to OCD are not fully understood, researchers have proposed several theories:
Perfectionism: Screen use may promote perfectionism, such as the need to attain a perfect score in a video game or heightened sensitivity to threats through exposure to screen violence.
Self-Perception Biases: Comparisons with influencers on social media or YouTube can distort self-perception, leading to intrusive thoughts that may develop into obsessions.
"Screen use could promote perfectionism through needing to attain a perfect score on a video game or overestimation of threat by being exposed to screen violence. In addition, screen time could lead to biases in self-perception through comparisons with others such as influencers on social media or YouTube videos, which could lead to intrusive thoughts and develop into obsessions," explained the researchers.
Philosophical Questions: Screen Time and Brain Health
The doubling of screen time during the pandemic not only prompts concerns about OCD but also raises deeper philosophical questions about the long-term impact on brain health.
Could excessive screen time be causing subtle forms of brain damage or cognitive alterations?
The human brain, especially during the formative years of childhood, is highly plastic and sensitive to environmental influences. Prolonged screen exposure might be reshaping neural pathways in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Managing Screen Time for Better Mental Health
To mitigate the risks associated with excessive screen time, parents can take proactive steps:
Develop a Media Use Plan: Establish screen-free times, particularly before bedtime, to reduce the risk of compulsive behaviors.
Encourage Alternative Activities: Promote physical activities, reading, and hobbies that do not involve screens.
Monitor Screen Content: Ensure that the content consumed is age-appropriate and does not contribute to anxiety or perfectionism.
Final thoughts
The increase in screen time during the pandemic has underscored the need for balanced media use, especially considering its potential link to OCD. By understanding the signs of OCD and implementing proactive measures, families can help protect children's mental health while still benefiting from the positive aspects of technology.
Let’s get more curious about the relationship between screen time and OCD. I hope that Marriage and family therapists will raise deeper philosophical questions about brain health and provide practical advice for managing screen time for our children.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Screen Time and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Among Children 9–10 Years Old: A Prospective Cohort Study
Open Access Published: December 12, 2022 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.10.023
