Warning: Phones cause 'loneliness epidemic' in children

'We are raising a generation that is more connected than any generation in history, but at the same time more isolated and lonelier,' Princess of Wales Kate William assessed.

Research finds that children who own smartphones before the age of 13 are at high risk of serious mental health problems such as anxiety, depression... - Illustration photo created by AI

On October 9, Prince William's wife, Princess of Wales of the UK - Kate William, warned that smartphones and other digital devices are the main cause of a "pandemic of loneliness and isolation" that threatens children's development.

In a joint essay with Professor Robert Waldinger (Harvard Medical School) published by the Royal Children's Centre, Princess Kate argues that digital devices are supposed to be tools to help people connect, but in reality they have the opposite effect. This challenge is especially serious for children born into a world filled with digital technology .

"We are raising a generation that is more connected than any generation in history, but at the same time more isolated, lonelier and less equipped to form the warm and meaningful relationships that research shows are the foundation of a healthy life," Kate said.

The princess cited Harvard Medical School research on adult development – ​​the world's oldest study of its kind – which found that the best predictor of a happy and healthy life is the quality of an individual's relationships with others.

"Children raised in caring and loving environments are better able to develop social and emotional skills, helping them grow up to be able to build loving partnerships, families and communities," said Duchess Kate.

In addition to causing a 'loneliness epidemic' in children, phones also have many other consequences. According to a global study (analyzing data from more than 100,000 young people in 163 countries) recently published in the Journal of the Human Development and Capabilities , children who own smartphones before the age of 13 are at high risk of serious mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, emotional detachment, thoughts of self-harm, aggressive behavior, feeling detached from reality...

The main reason, according to the authors, is that children are exposed to social networks too early, leading to consequences such as insomnia, cyberbullying and increased conflicts in family relationships.

The study recommends that children should be exposed to smartphones later than the age of 13, while emphasizing that the time should be chosen to suit the child's emotional and cognitive maturity, and recommends limiting children's use of social networks until at least the age of 16...

VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/canh-bao-dien-thoai-gay-dai-dich-co-don-o-tre-20251010104121613.htm