A study has been released that overturns the previous expectation that smartphones have a negative impact on youth health. Children who own smartphones reported a higher overall satisfaction with life and better results on happiness metrics compared to those who do not own smartphones. The issue lies with social media.
Researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) announced the results of a survey analyzing the smartphone usage habits of adolescents and their associated levels of happiness on the 25th (local time). This study was conducted as part of a long-term project called the "Life in Media Survey." The survey results were published on the project's official website on the same day.
These results emerged from a preliminary study aimed at tracking the long-term effects of digital media on the health and lives of adolescents. The USF researchers collaborated with the Harris Poll market research firm to survey more than 1,500 adolescents aged 11 to 13 in the Florida region.
The use of smartphones among adolescents is highlighted as a serious social problem worldwide. According to research by Professor Mun Jin-hwa from Hanyang University in 2023, the proportion of Korean adolescents using smartphones for more than 2 hours a day reached 85.7% as of 2020, and those using them for more than 4 hours are at a higher risk of mental health issues.
As concerns over the dangers of excessive smartphone use continue to emerge, movements to restrict youth's use of smart devices are spreading in various countries. France is pushing a plan to completely ban smartphone use among primary and middle school students as part of its "digital pause" policy, while in Korea, lawmaker Jo Jung-hoon of the People Power Party proposed a bill in August of last year to limit the use of smart devices in schools.
The survey results showed a different perspective from existing beliefs. Children who own smartphones scored higher on nearly all happiness metrics. They exhibited fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to their peers without smartphones, and they were more likely to meet friends frequently and have a positive self-image.
On the other hand, the act of posting frequently on social media was associated with several harmful outcomes. Children who post frequently on social media are more than twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or sleep issues compared to those who do not.
Professor Park Min-ah of Kangwon National University stated, "Adolescents who use social media extensively face problems related to social comparison, feedback dependence, and subsequent feelings of depression and anxiety, as well as lower self-esteem," adding, "Since the popularization of Twitter and Facebook in 2010, the use of social media among American adolescents has surged, and research indicates that during this period, rates of depression and suicide have also increased."
The Poynter Institute, a media ethics research organization, advised regarding this study that "parents should limit their young children's public posting on social media and pay attention to early signs of online bullying."
Smartphone usage has also impacted sleep health. One in four respondents reported having the habit of falling asleep while holding their smartphone or leaving it on their bed, and these children were found to have poorer sleep quality than others. Wendy Rothe, an associate professor of psychology at USF, explained, "This study shows that the ability to regulate smartphone usage can positively or negatively impact a child's life more than merely owning a smartphone."
Professor Park Min-ah further noted, "This survey demonstrates that the impact of smartphones on adolescent mental health depends more on how they are used than on whether they are owned. Educational support that develops critical thinking skills and self-regulation regarding smartphone use is necessary rather than simply limiting use."
There are also suggestions that the impact of smartphones on adolescents should be examined over an extended period for an accurate understanding. Steven Song, a professor in the journalism department at USF, stated, "Many problems and benefits of media usage accumulate over time," adding, "Longitudinal studies are essential to understand how digital media affects overall well-being across an individual's life."
The research team plans to embark on a nationwide 25-year longitudinal study based on this survey. They aim to investigate how digital media usage impacts growth, health, and sociability in approximately 8,000 children every six months.
References
PLOS ONE (2023), DOI : https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294553