Smartphones lead to surge in suicidal thoughts in teenagers
SMARTPHONES are fuelling an epidemic of mental illness in teenagers, according to research.
Psychologists say four in 10 youngsters are suffering distress, with many experiencing suicidal thoughts and indulging in self-harm, and excessive use of social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat is to blame.
They add that girls are most vulnerable, as they use sites that pressure them to get “likes” and followers who judge their photographs as attractive, while boys tend to play video games.
Dr Karline Treurnicht-naylor, of the University of Toronto, co-author of a report into rates of mental health difficulties for young people, said there has been a “relatively recent and quite dramatic rise”.
She added: “In Ontario, 40 per cent of teenagers report moderate to severe distress – a figure that has about doubled over a five-year period.”
Cases of children and teenagers admitted to hospital with mental health issues have also “increased substantially” in the last decade.
This is in contrast to other medical conditions, which have declined among the same age group.
Ms Treurnicht-naylor said: “That tells us something has gone awry. In particular, there are concerning trends for self-harm and suicidality.”
The latter is now the second leading cause of death for young people. The numbers being taken to hospital after self-harming is also soaring. Most are young girls.
Identical trends have been identified in America, added lead author Dr Elia Abi-jaoude, of the Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto.
He said: “For anyone working in an acute care setting in North America, this is something that has been a very striking increase and has been happening in the last five years.
“The volumes have been going up year after year in terms of adolescents presenting with suicidality and self-harm.”
He described the findings, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), as “disturbing”.
The report is based on a review of evidence from around the world.
Researchers said doctors, parents and teachers must help teenagers manage their smartphone and social media use. They recommended a healthy balance between sleep, academic work, social activity, interpersonal relationships and online activity.