"Really, in the last 10 to 15 years, I have seen more and more digital screen 3distress."
Dr. Jennifer Zumarraga with El Camino Health describes digital distress as a combination of 4excessive screen use and a negative impact on mental health.
She says it can lead to 5anxiety or depression.
Warning signs can include 6irritability, 7isolation, 8withdrawal, 9hopelessness, 10aggression, and in 11extreme cases, she says some will have suicidal thoughts or 12self-harm behaviors.
"I think the biggest thing is really the basis is communication and trying to find out what the kids are seeing, the content of what they're looking at, as well as the amount of screen time that they are using."
Zumarraga says excessive screen time can 13interfere with nutrition, activity levels and sleep. It can also impact focus and attention, with some teens having a difficult time setting boundaries for themselves to get off their screens.
That's why she suggests parents set up a digital plan. It includes screen limits and coming up with activities to replace the time usually spent on a device. She says getting outdoors or meeting up with other families can help 14encourage connections.
