Smartphones have completely taken over our culture, and children are getting hooked to them at younger and younger ages. Now, however, experts are issuing a major warning to parents about the affect smartphones can have on the mental health of their children.

The CDC has stated that 1 in 5 American children, ages three to 17 have a mental or behavioral disorder, and researchers at San Diego State University and the University of Georgia are not surprised by these numbers in the slightest.

“Half of mental health problems develop by adolescence,” said professors Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell.

After conducting a study on this, Twenge and Campbell warned that spending just one hour in front of a screen can lead to children becoming depressed or anxious. On top of that, it can make kids less curious, distracted, and have lowered self-control.

The experts did have a message of hope, however, saying, “How children and adolescents spend their leisure time is [easier] to change.”

Experts are advising parents to create “technology-free zones” in their homes which are meant for doing things besides watching television or going on the internet. They also say that parents should make use of technology a privilege that kids have to earn by doing something else that is positive.

Finally, the researchers say that parents should talk to their children about the dangers of technology, making sure that they know that they can’t let it get out of hand.

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