A new study involving nearly 12,000 children suggests that increased social media use among nine- and ten-year-olds leads to higher depressive symptoms over time, countering the notion that depressed kids simply use social media more. Over three years, average social media engagement rose from seven to 73 minutes daily, correlating with a 35% increase in depression scores, indicating that social media may contribute to developing these symptoms. Researchers emphasize the need for parents to model healthy screen habits and acknowledge that factors like content consumption also play a crucial role in mental health outcomes.
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