Little screen time beneficial for teenagers, study says

Fears that hours of screen time are bad for health are largely unfounded, says Oxford University CREDIT: DADDY COOL – FOTOLIA

BBC – A study of screen time and mental wellbeing among teenagers has suggested moderate use of devices may be beneficial in a connected world.

The researchers collected self-reported data from 120,000 English 15-year-olds about their digital device habits.

They found a “Goldilocks effect” where a few hours of device-use seemed to boost mental wellbeing.

One developmental psychologist welcomed the paper but said there was still room for more study.

“Moderate engagement in digital activities is not harmful,” notes the paper, published today in the journal Psychological Science.

In addition, the first hour or two of screen time was actually associated with an increase in mental wellbeing for those using computers, smartphones, video games and watching TV or films.

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