Over 30 minutes of Instagram, Snapchat use may impair children's attention: Study
New Delhi, Dec 8
Children who spend more than 30 minutes on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are likely to experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate, according to a study of more than 8, 000 children from around age 10 through age 14.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Oregon Health & Science University in the US investigated a possible link between screen habits and symptoms related to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
They followed 8,324 children aged 9-14 in the US for four years, with the average time children spent on social media, watching TV/videos, and playing video games -- from approximately 30 minutes a day for 9-year-olds to 2.5 hours for 13-year-olds.
Children who spent a significant amount of time on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Messenger, gradually developed inattention symptoms, revealed the findings.
In the study, the average time spent on social media rose from approximately 30 minutes a day for 9-year-olds to 2.5 hours for 13-year-olds, despite the fact that many platforms set their minimum age requirement at 13.
The study, published in Pediatrics Open Science, however, found no such association among children watching television or playing video games.
“Our study suggests that it is specifically social media that affects children’s ability to concentrate,†said Torkel Klingberg, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
“Social media entails constant distractions in the form of messages and notifications, and the mere thought of whether a message has arrived can act as a mental distraction. This affects the ability to stay focused and could explain the association,†Klingberg added.
The association was not influenced by socioeconomic background or a genetic predisposition towards ADHD.
In addition, children who already had symptoms of inattentiveness did not start to use social media more, which suggests that the association leads from use to symptoms and not vice versa.
The researchers found no increase in hyperactive/impulsive behaviour. While the effect on concentration was small at the individual level. At a population level, however, it could have a significant impact, they said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The study says 30 minutes is the threshold? Most kids in my nephew's class are on it for hours. Schools need to educate parents about this. We replaced evening screen time with family cricket in the park. His concentration in studies has improved noticeably.
Interesting that TV and video games didn't show the same effect. Maybe because social media is designed to be addictive with endless scrolling and notifications. The platforms know the minimum age is 13, but do nothing to stop younger kids. Shameful.
While the concern is valid, let's not panic. A small effect at individual level, the study says. Moderation and parental guidance are key. Banning it completely might make it more attractive. We need balanced digital literacy programs in Indian schools.
The real issue is parents using phones as digital pacifiers from a young age. We need to bring back board games, reading, and outdoor activities. Jio's cheap data made screens omnipresent, but we must control its use for our children's future. ðŸ™
As a teacher, I see the decline in attention spans first-hand. It's not just social media, but the constant switching it encourages. Children struggle to listen to a 10-minute lecture without fidgeting. We are creating a generation with fragmented focus.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.