The Wall Street Journal (7/17, Hernandez, Morris, Subscription Publication) reports that frequent use of digital media by adolescents may be associated with an increased risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), researchers concluded after following some 2,500 teenagers over two years. The findings were published July 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CNN (7/17, Howard) reports that the study’s “results ‘affirm the 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines to prioritize activities that promote adolescent executive functioning and well-being, including sleep, physical activity, distraction-free homework, and positive interactions with family and friends,’ wrote” Jenny Radesky, MD, “who was a lead author of the academy’s guidelines for young children.” In an accompanying editorial, Radesky observed that “although not directly addressed by this study, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for parent involvement in their adolescent’s media use – including discussions about prosocial uses of media, digital citizenship, misinformation, and persuasion awareness – are relevant to the cognitive and emotional reactions to digital media of adolescents.”
According to Newsweek (7/17, Gander), “the American Psychiatric Association states five percent of children have” AD/HD, but “the figure could be higher according to the Centers for Disease Control” and Prevention.
Also covering the story are a USA Today (7/17) video, USA Today (7/17, Suppe), Reuters (7/17, Rapaport), the NBC News (7/17, Fox) website, the NPR (7/17, Chatterjee) “Shots” blog, HealthDay (7/17, Norton), MedPage Today (7/17, Hlavinka), and Healio (7/17, Demko).
Related Links:
— “Frequent Technology Use Linked to ADHD Symptoms in Teens, Study Finds, ” Daniela Hernandez and Betsy Morris, The Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2018.