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BETTER BALANCE

Research + Evidence

Smartphone and other digital media use are exposing young people to risks and replacing experiences that help youth achieve their full potential. SYNC is a movement designed to shift local norms from continuous scrolling to intentional technology use, creating connections rooted in belonging.

Smartphone Age

Owning a smartphone before age 13 is linked to higher risk of depression, obesity, and poor sleep.[1]

Social Media

Nearly half of teens (48%) say social media platforms have a mostly negative effect on people their age. Teen girls are more likely than boys to say social media harms their mental health (25% vs. 14%), confidence (20% vs. 10%), and sleep (50% vs. 40%).[2]

Screen Time

Two or more hours of daily screen use is linked to depression,[3] difficulties with peer interactions,[4] worse academic outcomes,[5],[6] impaired sleep quality,[7] and worse relationships with parents.[8]

Parent Media

Parent media use is a strong predictor of child media use.[9]

Research at a Glance

To learn more about the evidence linking digital devices to mental health, explore these research summaries curated by Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.

Digital Media and Youth Body Image

Social Media and Youth Mental Health

LGBTQ+ Youth and Digital Media Use

Suicide, Self-Harm, and Digital Media Use

  1. Smartphone ownership, age of smartphone acquisition, and health outcomes in early adolescence
  2. Teens, Social Media and Mental Health
  3. Dose-response association of screen time-based sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents and depression: a meta-analysis of observational studies
  4. Associations of screen exposure with psychosocial problems in primary school students
  5. Screen time and standardized academic achievement tests in elementary school
  6. Electronic media use and academic performance in late childhood: a longitudinal study
  7. Sleep problems, sleep duration, and use of digital devices among primary school students in Japan
  8. Problematic media use among children up to the age of 10: A systematic literature review
  9. Associations between media parenting practices and early adolescent screen use

Appleton Area School District

https://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/

Princeton School District

https://princetonschooldistrict.org/

Shawano School District

https://www.shawanoschools.com/

School District of Wild Rose

https://www.wildrose.k12.wi.us/

School District of New London

https://www.newlondon.k12.wi.us/

School District of Waupaca

https://www.waupaca.k12.wi.us/