Prior cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between screen time and behavior disorders but didn’t differentiate between types of screen use or only examined one type, such as video games. In another recent study, Nagata and colleagues found that adolescents are so attached to their phones – the main vehicle for screen time – that they report losing track of time when using their phone (47.5%) and will interrupt whatever they are doing when contacted by phone (31%). Watching movies and playing video games, on the other hand, may displace sleep and physical activity as well as reduce social support, he said, which could explain the tie to ODD. “If kids do search for violence, algorithms will feed back even more disturbing content and children can get stuck in cycles of toxicity.” “Children can be exposed to violent content on social media through ads even if they are not searching for it,” said Nagata. “Social media platforms can encourage bullying and aggression, which may contribute to the development of conduct disorder in children,” said Jason Nagata, MD, lead study author and assistant professor of pediatrics at UCSF.

Each hour of social media was linked with a 62% higher prevalence of conduct disorder, while television, video games, video chat, and texting were linked with a 14% to 21% higher prevalence of ODD. Researchers collected data on screen use, then evaluated for behavior disorders one year later. Social media use was most likely to be linked to conduct disorder, while other forms of screen use – such as watching videos and television, playing video games, and texting – were more likely to be associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).Ĭonduct disorder is characterized by violating others’ basic rights or societal rules with actions such as bullying, vandalism and stealing, while ODD is marked by a pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentative or defiant behavior, and vindictiveness. Tweens who spend more time on screens have a higher likelihood of developing disruptive behavior disorders, with social media having an especially strong influence, a new UC San Francisco-led study published today in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found.

Video diary for kids