Jean M. Twenge, Thomas E. Joiner, Megan L. Rogers, and Gabrielle N. Martin
(San Diego State University and Florida State University).
Abstract :
In two nationally representative surveys of U.S. adolescents in grades 8 through 12 (N = 506,820) and national statistics on suicide deaths for those ages 13 to 18, adolescents’ depressive symptoms, suiciderelated outcomes, and suicide rates increased between 2010 and 2015, especially among females. Adolescents who spent more time on new media (including social media and electronic devices such as smartphones) were more likely to report mental health issues,
and adolescents who spent more time on nonscreen activities (inperson social interaction, sports/exercise, homework, print media, and attending religious services) were less likely. Since 2010, iGen adolescents have spent more time on new media screen activities and less time on nonscreen activities, which may account for the increases in depression and suicide. In contrast, cyclical economic factors such as unemployment and the Dow Jones Index were not linked
to depressive symptoms or suicide rates when matched by year
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2167702617723376