Youth screen use can cause family conflict, exacerbate mental health problems

Here is the abstract of the linked paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Ffam0001390

The article does not accurately reflect even the abstract, so I would not count on it to accurately reflect the full paper.

From the article (emphasis mine):

  the researchers analyzed shifting dynamics of over 11,000 families with kids *for a decade*

From the paper abstract (emphasis mine):

  The present study examined the longitudinal, bidirectional associations between early adolescents’ electronic media use and family conflict *across 3 years*

As someone who used a lot of screens and was lonely in my youth, I can say with confidence that it was a response the family conflict in my home, not the creator of it. If my parents provided me a stable, non-abusive home, if they prioritized my emotional health and needs, I would've happily spent my time with them, not with randoms I found on the internet.

Kids and especially teenagers in non abusive families end up disinterested in anything outside of screens too. So do adults.

The fact is, youtube, tiktok and games are more interesting then anything real world people can provide. And they dont come with expectations that you behave politely or give regards to others.

+1; I know it sounds stupid, but small things like snidely saying 'look who decided to show up' can have considerable impact with children. Made me really, really good at not showing up.

It's not stupid. Your parents are treating you with contempt. People try to jump hoops to act like that's acceptable but no one, no child, no adult, enjoys being treated with contempt. Now imagine getting that from your caregivers who make up the majority of your world.

I made no comment about what non abusive families are like. This article is suggesting a causal relationship between family conflict and screen time. I'm suggesting that family conflict can cause screen time.

One can argue that `they dont come with expectations that you behave politely or give regards to others` is a family conflict that causes screen time.

> One can argue that `they dont come with expectations that you behave politely or give regards to others` is a family conflict that causes screen time.

If the cause of conflict is someone unwilling to behave politely or give regards of others and then the said person go back to screen, then it is not screen time because of conflict.

It is screentime because someone is unwilling to stop insulting the siblings (or whatever) and parents dropped the ball by allowing it.

In the 500AD the Delphi's oracle already had written at the entrance "Nothing too much", good we are rediscovering this again now

If the conflict is that the child is expected to behave politely, but the parents do not model this behaviour in the first place, then we are back at screentime being a retreat from conflict.

'Do as I say, not as I do' etc.