Screen time | 60 Minutes Archive

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is conducting a groundbreaking study on the effects of screen time on the adolescent brain, following 11,000 kids over a decade. Early findings suggest changes in brain structure, like premature thinning of the cortex, and lower test scores in kids using screens for more than two hours daily. The study aims to explore whether smartphones and apps are addictive, how screen time impacts mental health, and its role in rising loneliness and depression among teens. Scientists continue to investigate how technology is shaping the next generation.

Takeaways

• 📱 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a $300 million, decade-long study to understand the effects of screen time on adolescent brain development and mental health.
• 🧠 Initial brain scans from the study show differences in brain patterns of children who spend more than 7 hours a day on screens, with some showing premature thinning of the cortex.
• ⚠️ Kids who spend over 2 hours on screens tend to score lower on thinking and language tests, but researchers are still unsure if screen time is the direct cause.
• 🔬 Scientists aim to find out whether screen time can be addictive, but answers to some of the long-term effects will take years to uncover.
• 👶 Experts express concerns about screen time’s effects on very young children, especially under 2 years old, as they don't transfer skills learned on screens to real-life situations.
• 🎮 Interactive apps on devices like iPads are more engaging for children than traditional toys, making it harder for them to give up the device when asked.
• 💻 The study investigates how screens are designed to capture and hold attention, with former tech insiders acknowledging that smartphones are created to maximize engagement.
• 📊 Social media use stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain, leading to impulsive behavior and a desire to stay engaged, especially in teenagers.
• 📉 Teenagers today spend an average of 4.5 hours a day on phones, resulting in a shift in behavior, with decreases in activities like drinking or having sex, but increases in loneliness and depression.
• 🛠️ Companies like Facebook and Instagram have introduced tools for users to monitor screen time, but experts believe these tools should have been available much earlier.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?

The NIH is conducting a study on adolescent brain development to understand how screen time impacts the physical structure of children's brains, as well as their emotional development and mental health.

How many children are participating in the NIH study, and for how long will they be followed?

The study involves over 11,000 children, who will be followed for a decade.

What significant findings were discovered from the first wave of brain scans of the children involved in the study?

The brain scans of some children who spent more than 7 hours a day on screens showed premature thinning of the cortex, which is the outermost layer of the brain responsible for processing information from the senses.

Is the thinning of the cortex necessarily a bad outcome for children spending extended time on screens?

It is unclear whether the thinning of the cortex is harmful. More time is needed to determine if the differences in brain structure lead to negative outcomes.

What did the study reveal about children who spent more than 2 hours a day on screens?

Children who spent more than 2 hours a day on screens scored lower on thinking and language tests compared to children with less screen time.

What are some concerns about how screen time affects young children under 2 years old?

For young children under 2, the concern is that they do not transfer skills learned from apps to the real world. For example, playing with virtual blocks does not translate into the ability to stack real blocks.

Why are babies more vulnerable to the effects of screen time compared to teenagers?

Babies are more vulnerable because their brains are still in a critical period of development. The experience of making something happen on a screen is highly gratifying, which may interfere with their real-world learning and development.

What behavioral patterns were observed in teens who spent significant time on smartphones and social media?

Teens who spent extensive time on smartphones exhibited impulsive behaviors and compulsive use of social media due to the release of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with cravings and desire.

How has the introduction of smartphones affected the behavior and mental health of teens born after 1995?

Teens born after 1995, the first generation to grow up with smartphones, showed a decline in social activities like drinking and sex, but an increase in feelings of loneliness and depression.

What are some ways parents and tech companies are responding to concerns about screen time for children and teens?

Tech companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Apple have introduced tools to monitor and limit app usage. Parents are encouraged to use these tools to manage their children's screen time, although many are unaware that these options exist.