The use of smartphones is making teenagers become more aggressive and detached from reality. It can also cause teens to hallucinate.
That is according to the findings of a new research titled "The Youth Mind: Rising Aggression and Anger" by Sapien Labs. The study analyzed 10,500 teens between the ages of 13 and 17 residing in the United States and India.
The research found that the younger a child is allowed to use smartphones, the more likely they are to suffer a series of psychological issues.
What Were the Study's Findings?
In both the US and India, more than 50% of teens aged 13 to 17 said they had feelings of distress, hopelessness, and sadness. At least 51% of teens surveyed also said they had debilitating, unwanted, strange thoughts, while 46% said they had a sense of being detached from reality.
Other most common problems noted by teens include issues with their self-image, traumatic flashbacks, mood swings, avoidance and withdrawal, self-worth and confidence, emotional resilience, and focus and concentration.
While suicidal thoughts were not included in the top 12 common issues cited, there were a staggering number of teenage girls and boys suffering from the debilitating illness. In the US, 42% of girls and 27% of boys reported a problem with suicidal thoughts and intentions. In India, the figures rose to 49% among girls and 31% for boys.
Furthermore, the study found that teens who use smartphones also experienced anger, irritability and hallucinations, as well as displayed aggression towards others.
Increased Violence in Teens Using Smartphones
The study's findings echoed incidents in recent news reports. In 2023, there was an uptick in teachers who were punched in the face, pepper sprayed, and beaten unconscious after attempting to confiscate the smartphones of their students, the New York Post reported.
Tara Thiagarajan, the founder and chief scientist of Sapien Labs, also pointed to the December school shooting involving 15-year-old Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow, who was known to spend a great amount of time on her phone. She later exhibited extremist views prior to opening fire at other students and shooting herself.
