The researchers from Oxford and Cardiff Universities tested for links between wellbeing and screen-time and concluded that there is a point between high and low use of technology which is “just right” for teenagers’ wellbeing.
Their paper, which has been published in the journal Psychological Science, recommends upper limits on use of digital devices, including 100 minutes for video game playing and just under two hours for SmartPhone use.
However, the paper also suggests that the relationship between screen-time and wellbeing is “weak at best” – even when young people overuse digital devices.
The research project analysed how 120,000 15-year-olds in Britain felt after using digital technology, when they used this technology during the week, and how much time they spent on different devices. It used a well-established self-report measure of mental wellbeing to judge the impact of technology use.
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