Rachel V Thomas

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Over 2 Hours of Daily Screen Time Linked to Depression, Obesity In Young People: Lancet

More than two hours of <span>daily screen time</span> could be associated with around 2.8 million healthy years of life lost to <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/depression">depression</a></span> and 240,000 healthy years lost to <span>obesity</span> worldwide each year, according to a new three-paper series published in The <span>Lancet</span>.

However, the authors stressed that these are illustrative estimates, not precise measurements of the global health burden, because the certainty of the underlying evidence is low.

"Our global projections of how many healthy years could be lost to depression and obesity linked to excessive screen time are intended to be illustrative of the possible scale of harm," said Dr. Falk Müller-Riemenschneider of the National University of Singapore. "They should not be taken as an accurate measurement of harm."

The series, authored by 13 global experts, argues that simply limiting screen time may not be enough to protect children and young people from digital harms.

<h2>Why <span rel="noindex">Screen-Time</span> Rules May Not Be Enough</h2>

<strong>Also read</strong>: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-to-limit-childrens-screen-time-article-154380127" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Surgeon General Issues Advisory To Limit Children's Screen Time</a>

The experts analyzed 121 reviews covering around 9 million people under 25.

They found consistent associations between problematic digital media use — defined as addiction-like patterns rather than simply time spent online — and:

<ul><li>Common mental health problems</li><li>Sleep problems</li><li>Reduced physical activity</li></ul>

The review also found some potential benefits. Moderate digital media use was associated with higher well-being, while active video game use was associated with higher well-being and healthier lifestyles.

The authors therefore argue that what young people do online, how platforms are designed and how they are governed may matter as much as how long they spend online.

<h2>What is Driving Digital Health Risks</h2>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-to-limit-childrens-screen-time-article-154380127" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can 'Eye Strain' Lead To Brain Cancer? Experts Explain</a>

Features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and personalized recommendation feeds are designed to capture attention and collect data, the authors said.

"Most digital platforms are designed by companies to capture attention and collect data, not to protect health," said Dr. Jay Shaw of the University of Toronto. 

He added that more research is needed into how specific platform features influence digital media use rather than focusing only on time spent online.

Series chair Professor Ilona Kickbusch said <span>governments</span> must make children's health and online safety a global policy priority.

"Governments have let technology companies write their own rules, leading to business models built to capture attention and collect data, with health treated as an afterthought," she said.

<h2>What the Lancet Series Recommends</h2>

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The authors call for coordinated action by technology companies, governments and international bodies rather than relying on a single intervention such as age limits.

<ul><li>Requiring companies to assess new products and features for potential health harms before release.</li><li>Giving vetted public-interest researchers access to data on how platform features affect health.</li><li>Establishing global standards through a WHO governance treaty.</li><li>Creating an international body to monitor AI-related harms to children and young people.</li><li>Using litigation as one route to hold technology companies accountable.</li></ul>

"A key recommendation of our series is that governments should require technology companies to share data on how their features affect users' health with vetted public-interest researchers," said series author Louise Holly.

The series also included a Youth Advisory Group of six young adults aged 23 to 30.

"The health risks and harms associated with digital systems are preventable," said Dr. Salman Fitrat Khan of India. "Governments shouldn't wait for 'perfect' evidence before acting for our generation and the ones coming after us."

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More than two hours of daily screen time could be associated with around 2.8 million healthy years of life lost to depression and 240,000 healthy years lost to obesity worldwide each year, according to a new three-paper series published in The Lancet.However, the authors stressed that these are illustrative estimates, not precise measurements of the global health burden, because the certainty of the underlying evidence is low."Our global projections of how many healthy years could be lost to depression and obesity linked to excessive screen time are intended to be illustrative of the possible scale of harm," said Dr. Falk Müller-Riemenschneider of the National University of Singapore. "They should not be taken as an accurate measurement of harm."The series, authored by 13 global experts, argues that simply limiting screen time may not be enough to protect children and young people from digital harms.Why Screen-Time Rules May Not Be EnoughAlso read: US Surgeon General Issues Advisory To Limit Children's Screen TimeThe experts analyzed 121 reviews covering around 9 million people under 25.They found consistent associations between problematic digital media use — defined as addiction-like patterns rather than simply time spent online — and:Common mental health problemsSleep problemsReduced physical activityThe review also found some potential benefits. Moderate digital media use was associated with higher well-being, while active video game use was associated with higher well-being and healthier lifestyles.The authors therefore argue that what young people do online, how platforms are designed and how they are governed may matter as much as how long they spend online.What is Driving Digital Health RisksRead More: Can 'Eye Strain' Lead To Brain Cancer? Experts ExplainFeatures such as infinite scroll, autoplay and personalized recommendation feeds are designed to capture attention and collect data, the authors said."Most digital platforms are designed by companies to capture attention and collect data, not to protect health," said Dr. Jay Shaw of the University of Toronto. He added that more research is needed into how specific platform features influence digital media use rather than focusing only on time spent online.Series chair Professor Ilona Kickbusch said governments must make children's health and online safety a global policy priority."Governments have let technology companies write their own rules, leading to business models built to capture attention and collect data, with health treated as an afterthought," she said.What the Lancet Series Recommends   The authors call for coordinated action by technology companies, governments and international bodies rather than relying on a single intervention such as age limits.Their recommendations include:Requiring companies to assess new products and features for potential health harms before release.Giving vetted public-interest researchers access to data on how platform features affect health.Establishing global standards through a WHO governance treaty.Creating an international body to monitor AI-related harms to children and young people.Using litigation as one route to hold technology companies accountable."A key recommendation of our series is that governments should require technology companies to share data on how their features affect users' health with vetted public-interest researchers," said series author Louise Holly.The series also included a Youth Advisory Group of six young adults aged 23 to 30."The health risks and harms associated with digital systems are preventable," said Dr. Salman Fitrat Khan of India. "Governments shouldn't wait for 'perfect' evidence before acting for our generation and the ones coming after us."

over 2 hours of daily screen time linked to depression, obesity in young people: lancet

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