Yes, social media is making kids depressed
What they found was clear: when social media use increased, so did the children's depressive symptoms.But the opposite wasn't true. Children who were already feeling low or depressed were not more likely to start using social media than others.On average, the amount of time pre-teens spent on social media went from 7 minutes a day to 73 minutes a day over the three years.At the same time, their depressive symptoms, which include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or lack of interest, rose by 35%.
Mobile phone use increasing depression symptoms in teenagers. ()
Dr. Jason Nagata, the lead author and associate professor of paediatrics at UCSF, explained that this study is one of the first to track the same children over time.advertisement"These findings provide evidence that social media may be contributing to the development of depressive symptoms,' he said.The study didn't explore the exact reasons why social media causes these emotional changes, but past research points to several possibilities. One is cyberbullying, which means being bullied online. Another is disrupted sleep, especially when teenagers stay up late using phones and miss out on rest.Dr. Nagata's team recently published another study showing that kids who are cyberbullied are more than twice as likely to have thoughts of suicide and also more likely to try substances like alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine.Even though social media can cause harm, it also plays a big part in how children today connect with friends and express themselves. That's why experts recommend helping kids use it in healthier ways rather than banning it completely.The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests families create a Family Media Plan: a guide to help kids and parents decide when and how to use screens.Dr. Nagata advises parents to have open conversations and set screen-free times, like during meals or before bedtime, for the whole family.Must Watch
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
US Scientists discover new early warning sign for deadly pancreatic cancer
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Because it could help doctors predict which patients are likely to develop pancreatic cancer and how aggressive that cancer might become. It could also help determine who is more likely to respond to current treatments. Cheresh added, 'Having knowledge of this gene signature in patients could be valuable since there are known drugs on the market for other diseases that block STAT3 activation and thereby inhibit the expression of the STRESS UP genes in cancer cells.' The importance of early detection (and personalized treatment) The research suggests that STRESS UP could play a role at every stage of pancreatic cancer, from the earliest precancerous lesions to fully drug-resistant tumors and even those that have spread to other organs. According to Cheresh, 'We observed that the STRESS UP gene signature is linked to various critical stages of cancer development including: tumor initiation as precancerous lesions develop into actual tumors, as tumors develop drug resistance, and as tumors develop an invasive or metastatic behavior [when cancer spreads].' The researchers are now examining each of the 10 genes in the STRESS UP signature more closely to develop targeted therapies. One such therapy is already in early clinical trials for patients with drug-resistant cancers. Cheresh explained, 'We are now examining each of these STRESS UP genes for their specific role in the development and progression of cancer with the hope that new specific therapies can be developed. We already have one such therapeutic just now entering clinical trials for patients with drug-resistant cancers.' World Lung Cancer Day 2024: Combating The Deadly Disease With Advanced Treatments
Time of India
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Alzheimer: Researchers find two cancer drugs reverse damaged gene behaviour in mice
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