SAN DIEGO — A new study has linked excessive gaming, watching TV, or on smartphones to anxiety and depression in kids as young as two.<br /><br />Research published in Preventive Medicine Reports found that children and teens may have less curiosity, self-control, emotional stability, and a greater inability to finish tasks after just an hour of screen time a day.<br /><br />Researchers analyzed a random sample of over 40,000 surveys from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health, which looked at kids aged 2 to 17.<br /><br />Adolescents aged 14 to 17 face the highest risk. Those who spent more than seven hours a day on screens were twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression than those who spent only an hour.<br /><br />But younger kids and toddlers whose brains are still developing were also affected. Preschoolers with high screen use were twice as likely to lose their temper. Forty-six percent of youngsters were also more likely to not be able to calm down once excited.<br /><br />The findings validate the daily screen time limits set by the American Academy of Pediatrics — one hour for ages 2 to 5, and two for school-aged kids and adolescents.
