Anyone who works in marketing has heard the new phrase a million times: "We now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish at 7 seconds."
So, it seems natural that studies would be conducted investigating the link between ADHD symptoms and digital media use. In a study involving 2600 15-16 year old high school students over the period of two years, results shows that heavy digital media users were twice as likely to develop ADHD. However, it should be noted that while the results were statistically significant, the causation is still up for debate. (Example: the article shares that heavy Facebook have a lower sense of well-being; so does Facebook cause the lower sense of well-being, or does it attract those who felt that way?)
The researchers note that the results of the latest study show a “statistically significant but modest association between higher frequency of digital media use and subsequent symptoms of ADHD.” Keyword: modest. There’s something here, but the results are more of an inkling of a problem rather than proof of one.
Personally, I think that this is a worthwhile thought and I hope the notion undergoes further research. While all of us are past our high school days, can't the same be said for us now? When you are "supposed" to be focused on a task, how many times do you pick up your phone to scroll through instagram or check Facebook - I know I'm guilty! But if you really think about it, did we have that problem before smartphones, back in the day, studying during early college or high school?
Did we give ourselves "bad habits" - or develop something more serious?
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