Navigating the Digital Abyss Among Young Adults

By “psychotic experiences,” the researchers refer to a range of unusual thoughts and perceptions, such as the belief of being in danger and the experience of hearing and seeing things that other people cannot see or hear. These experiences are relatively common, affecting about 5% of young adults.

“Our findings are reassuring because they do not show evidence that digital media can cause or exacerbate psychotic experiences in young people,” said Paquin.

“It is important to keep in mind that each person is different. In some situations, digital media may be highly beneficial for a person’s well-being, and in other cases, these technologies may cause unintended harms.”

Accessing Mental Health Services Through Digital Media

The researchers hope their findings will help improve mental health services for young people. By better understanding the types of digital content and activities that matter to young people, mental health services can be made more accessible and better aligned with individual needs, they say.

“It is important for young people, their families, and for clinicians and policymakers to have scientific evidence on the risks and benefits of digital media for mental health, Paquin said. “Considering that young adults with more psychotic experiences may prefer digital technologies, we can use digital platforms to increase their access to accurate mental health information and to appropriate services.”

Reference :

1. Associations between digital media use and psychotic experiences in young adults of Quebec, Canada: a longitudinal study
   – (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-023-02537-6)

Source: Eurekalert