Screen addiction leads to changes in the structure of the brain in adolescents

SHAFAQNA TURKEY-Australian Macquarie University conducts research in the field of psychology Assoc. Dr. Wayne Warburton said that they came to the conclusion that excessive video game indulgence leads to negative changes in the brain structure of adolescents.

According to ABC, Dr. Warburton stated that as a result of his research on children and young adults after Covid-19 shutdown, they believe that the cause of aggressive and violent behavior in adolescents who are “screen addicts” is due to a change in the prefrontal cortex. their brains.

3 PERCENT PLAY HURTS

Warburton reported that 10 percent of the children and teens he identified as “screen addicts” were dangerously “game addicts” and 3 percent of those were more severe “game addicts”.

Stating that they believe behavioral disorders in adolescents are caused by changes in the brain as a result of video game overindulgence, Warburton said, “These changes in the prefrontal cortex make it difficult for teens to control their emotions, focus on what they’re doing, and function offline. the world.”

“Sometimes I saw children with suicidal tendencies”

Noting that children who were forcibly removed from the screen by their families, Warburton noted that aggressive behavior is more common and shared the observation that “I have seen children who are very depressed, anxious and sometimes suicidal.”

Warburton, who has suggested that excessive video game play affects communication networks in the brain, said they are working with a German research center to reverse the changes in young people’s brains.

Warburton said that many children and young people in the community are spending their time with video games at a dangerous level: “We should focus on teaching them to control their emotions and connect with people in an offline world.”

AGENTS SHOULD HELP

While stating that “screen addiction” cannot be measured by screen time alone, Warburton added that the real danger metric will be found in the impact school, sleep and social relationships have on teenagers’ lives.

Dr. Warburton stated that teens should be helped in this regard to discourage bad habits, and that brain changes can be brought back to healthy levels by reducing screen time.

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