MOST young people simply cannot imagine life without the digital technology they have grown up with. Thus new research showing they spend more time in front of smartphones, tablets and laptops than ever before comes as no surprise.
But the report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), led by researchers at the University of St Andrews, tracking their digital habits and how this affects their physical and mental health, highlights considerable cause for concern, especially since young Scots are among those spending the most time in front of screens.
The study found a continuous steep increase between 2002 and 2014 in the proportion of children and young people using technology for more than two hours each day. And while the increase applied to both sexes, it tripled for girls aged 15 and over during this period, which coincided with the advent of social media channels such as Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram.
Indeed, Scots girls topped WHO’s list of 42 countries in terms of computer use. And it should be noted that their research period ended in 2014; a recent survey by an online technology magazine suggested teenage girls were spending an eye-watering six hours a day on their phones.
It would, of course, be wrong and rather pointless to suggest social media is a bad thing. There is no “good” and “bad” technology, just how human beings choose to use it.
But with the vast majority of young people failing to take the recommended level of exercise each day, experts are concerned that levels of obesity, cardio-vascular disease and Type 2 diabetes – all already particularly high in Scotland - will soar even further.
Research shows the mental health of our teenagers, who are exposing themselves to the peer pressure and cyber-bullying, is also suffering.
Let’s be honest - young people are not voluntarily going to be weaning themselves off their smartphones any time soon. But we perhaps need to find more creative and pragmatic ways to help them navigate their digital journey and stay mentally and physically healthy.
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