68. Multitasking on screens linked to worse mental health in kids
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
When it comes to screen time and the affect of digital devices on the stress and attention spans of children, the total amount of time spent on digital media might not be the most important factor. It might be multitasking or using additional media while already using a primary digital device. In a new study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers at the University of Luxembourg studied 118 children between 8 and 12 years old at a Swiss school. They found no significant relationship between total media use and the children’s stress levels, attention spans, or sleep. But higher levels of media multitasking were associated with increased levels of psychological distress, worse sleep and behavior, and lower attention ratings assigned by both teachers and parents. Interestingly, playing video games appeared to reduce levels of stress and improve attention control of the children.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
