Mobile phone use linked to teen suicides
SPENDING too much time on mobile phones is linked to an increased risk of suicide in teenagers, a study has found.
Out of those who spent at least five hours a day looking at a screen, 48% displayed suicide-related behaviour.
This was described as feeling hopeless or thinking about, planning for, or attempting suicide.
For those who spent less than an hour a day on phone and tablet devices, the figure was 28%.
Depression was also more common in teens who spent a lot of time on screen devices. The research team sought to explain a 65% increase in the suicide rate for girls between 2010 and 2015 and a 58% increase in those reporting severe depression. They surveyed half a million 13 to 18-yearolds in the US. Prof Jean Twenge, of San Diego University, said: “These increases in mental health issues among teens are very alarming. “Between 2010 and 2015, teens increasingly spent more time with screens and less time on other activities. That was by far the largest change in their lives during this period and it’s not a good formula for mental health.” Prof Twenge said limiting screen time to between one and two hours a day was considered the “safe zone”.