By Linda Searing The Washington Post
Might time spent on #socialmedia — #YouTube, #Facebook, #Instagram, #Twitter and the like — affect young people’s #mentalhealth? Yes, says a report by Johns Hopkins and other researchers, published in #JAMA Psychiatry.
For instance, they found that 12- to 15-year-olds who typically spent three or more hours a day on #socialmedia were about twice as likely to experience #depression, #anxiety, #loneliness, aggression or antisocial behavior as were adolescents who did not use #socialmedia. As the youths’ #socialmedia time increased, so did their risk, making them four times more likely than nonusers to have these problems if they spent more than six hours a day on #socialmedia.
#JamesDonaldsononMentalHealth –
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Of the group participating in the research — a nationally representative sample of 6,595 adolescents living in the #UnitedStates in 2013 to 2014 — just 17 percent said they did not use #socialmedia. Among those who did use #socialmedia, 32 percent reported using it 30 minutes or less every day, 31 percent said roughly 30 minutes to three hours, and 12 percent said three to six hours. Another 8 percent said they spent more than six hours a day on #socialmedia.
The study did not determine why #socialmedia was linked to #mentalhealthissues.
But the researchers suspect that heavy use may lead to sleep problems that can contribute to such issues, increase the risk for cyberbullying, which has been tied to symptoms of #depression, and result in unrealistic comparisons of yourself and your life to those of others seen on #socialmedia. They also noted that their analysis adjusted for any previous #mentalhealthissues, saying this “mitigates the possibility that reverse causality explains these findings.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to develop a family media use plan.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
