Greater use of social networks during early adolescence could contribute to increase depressive symptoms over time, says a new study headed by the University of San Francisco, EU, published in Jama Open Network.
The investigation also indicates that an increase in depressive symptoms did not predict a subsequent increase in the use of social networks.
Given the debate of whether social networks contribute to depression or simply reflect underlying depressive symptoms, these findings “provide evidence” that the first “may be contributing to the development of depressive symptoms,” said article Jason Nagata.
The study examined the follow -up data of 11,876 children from 9 to 10 years and, three years later, from 12 to 13 years. The use of social networks increased from seven to 73 minutes a day during that period and depressive symptoms grew by 35%.
In this case, intrapersonal longitudinal data were used, which means that researchers could follow the changes over time in each child to precisely evaluate the relationship between social networks and depression.
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More time on social networks would contribute to depressive symptoms in preteens: study
The result was that the use of social networks in the same person during early adolescence was prospectively associated with greater depressive symptoms a year later, while depressive symptoms were not associated with the subsequent use of networks.
Although it is not clear why networks increase depressive symptoms, previous investigations point to risks such as cyberbullying and sleep alterations.
A previous study of the same team on the same cohort of participants, but focused on the effects of cyberbullying said that children aged 11 to 12 who had suffered it had 2.62 times more likely to manifest suicidal ideas or suicide attempts a year later.
In addition, these children had 2.31 times more likely to experiment with some substance (4.65 times more with marijuana, 3.37 with nicotine and 1.92 with alcohol) the following year.
More and more there is more evidence that social networks are associated with depressive symptoms and risk behaviors, although for young people they are also a primary tool to connect and communicate with friends, the researchers point out.
Nagata said, cited by the University of San Francisco, who as a father knows that it is not enough to say to children to leave the mobile and added that they can “preach with the example with open conversations and without prejudice about the use of the screens.”
Establishing moments free of screens for the whole family, such as during meals or before bedtime, can help build healthier digital habits for all, including adults, the researcher suggested.
With EFE information
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