Discussing the impact of smartphones on preteens with Valley doctor

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Staying connected is literally at the touch of our fingers, and our smartphones have become an integrated part of our lives.

"When you look at how social media works, social media is almost a computer algorithm that presents reality in a sort of curated way," says Dr. Jason Christopherson with Ascend Behavioral Health in northeast Fresno.

A new study in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities revealed that getting a smartphone under the age of 13 is associated with poor mental health in young adulthood.

Dr. Christopherson says the findings are not surprising.

"It's difficult to tie something like smartphone use or social media to specific mental illnesses or diagnoses, but it's a little bit easier to recognize general problems that might happen," he said.

Researchers surveyed over 100,000 18 to 24-year-olds worldwide, who reported feelings of aggression and lower self-worth, just to name a few.

Researchers add that for every year a person got a smartphone before age 13, their mental health got worse.

"In the early teenage years and earlier than that, children's brains are still growing in such a way that they still have trouble with things with magical thinking, and the brain doesn't do a great job differentiating fantasy from reality," Dr. Christopherson said.

The study also found that access to a smartphone at an earlier age could negatively affect sleeping habits and family relationships, as well as lead to possible cyberbullying.

"When you're being picked on and bullied in a social media space, not only is it following you everywhere you go, but the audience is so much bigger," Dr. Christopherson said.

But parents can take action to keep their kids safe, whether it's monitoring their devices or setting boundaries.

Experts say you should also talk with your kids.

"Don't be afraid to have your children work with you, to teach you how they use their device and to teach you how they engage with their friends and interact," Dr. Christopherson said

Dr. Christopherson adds that there is help for parents out there to aid them in better understanding the changing digital landscape.

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