The intensive use of cell phones and other screens is influencing how anxiety and depression manifest among children and adolescents. These disorders no longer present themselves solely. As sadness or crying, but can also be expressed through constant irritability. A decline in school performance, physical discomfort without a medical cause, and progressive social isolation.
Many of these signs are mistaken for normal developmental stages or behavioral problems. Making them difficult to recognize both at home and at school.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO). One in seven children between the ages of 10 and 19 has some type of mental health disorder. With anxiety and depression being the most common. In Latin America, UNICEF data shows that nearly 20 percent of adolescents report symptoms consistent with these disorders. A growing figure that directly impacts their emotional, social, and educational development.
Specialists at the San José University Children’s Hospital warn that cell phones have become a factor. That can aggravate or accelerate the onset of depressive and anxious symptoms. Their impact is not always immediate or easy to identify. As they tend to be integrated into daily life as part of the digital routine.
Warning signs: beyond sadness and crying
The main criterion for detecting these disorders is not the isolated presence of certain behaviors. Rather a sustained change from the child’s previous state. When irritability, disinterest, or academic decline persist. Affect school life, social relationships, or family dynamics. It is necessary to seek a specialized evaluation.
In children, emotional distress often manifests physically. Abdominal pain, headaches, fatigue, or muscle aches. Without a medical cause can be signs of anxiety or depression. Lead to multiple consultations before a mental health evaluation is considered.
The Impact of Screens on Children’s Mental Health
Prolonged exposure to screens, especially cell phones, has been linked to sleep disturbances. Reduced frustration tolerance, changes in the brain’s reward circuitry. Increased vulnerability to social comparison, particularly at young ages.
These effects often appear gradually: difficulty sleeping, irritability when device use is limited. A preference for screens over other activities affect self-esteem and the ability to manage frustration.
Recent studies, such as those published in JAMA Pediatrics. Indicate that children who spend more than three hours a day on recreational screens. It has a higher risk of depressive and anxious symptoms. Especially when use is concentrate on social media and video games at night.
For many families, these changes go unnoticed or become normalized hindering early identification. Lack of communication within the home and the perception of cell phones. As entertainment tools delay seeking professional help.
The return to school and changes in the academic routine can become critical moments. It is recommend to watch for crying spells, panic attacks, persistent refusal to attend school. Intense physical symptoms, and regressive behaviors.
If symptoms last more than two weeks. Interfere with daily life, or are accompanied by feelings of guilt or inadequacy. So professional evaluation is required.
Ignoring these signs can be associate with low self-esteem, self-harm. Difficulties in social relationships, school dropout, and a higher risk of mental disorders later in life. Child psychiatry emphasizes early detection and intervention to improve the prognosis and develop healthy coping mechanisms for the challenges of childhood and adolescence.
The San José University Children’s Hospital recommends not underestimating emotional and behavioral changes. Strengthening family communication, and setting limits on cell phone use.
With information from Renzo Gonzales/INFOBAE.com
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