Health in the News

Health in the News

Excess Media in Teen Years May Cause Depression, Rick Nauert PhD, February 26, 2009

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/02/06/excess-media-in-teen-years-may-cause-depression/3962.html


Summary:
Teenagers who over-expose themselves to electronic media, such as television and video games, are likely to be depressed in their adult years. Research shows that teenagers who spend 5.68 hours under the influence of electronic media may likely have symptoms of depression during their adult years. However, men are more likely to be affected by depression due to electronic media exposure rather than women. Due to over-exposure to electronic media, the person is deprived of social, physical, and intellectual activities; also, the person will have lack of sleep. Therefore, the author of the article suggest people over-exposed to electronic media should be more sociable in order to prevent depression.

Big Meaning:
According to wordnetweb.princeton.edu, depression is a mental state characterized by pessimistic and inactive behavior. The definition holds true for people under the heavy influecne of electronic media. For example, by sitting down for 5-6 hours, the person is lacking the ability to be active; therefore, it weakens his or her physical health. Also, they become reclusive, thus affecting their social health negatively. Eventhough many people under the heavy influence of electronic media may enjoy their lifestyle, they will begin to see a change once they are put in real-life situations. However, teenagers who are under the influece of electronic media never seem to affect the community directly, they lack participation so it affects the community indirectly. Nevertheless, the depression they feel when the teenagers get older will affect the community because the depression may lead to other problems. Therefore, we must limit teenagers' usage with electronic media before it is too late.

Personal Meaning:
Since I watch television almost everyday, I was shocked that exposing myself to media may cause depression. After reading the article, I fear my brother's health because he spends more than 6 hours playing games or watching TV. Therefore, it affects me more personally. Also, I never knew how silent depression can creep up on your life. I will try limiting my time in front of the television or other mind-droning forms of media, such as video games, and be more sociable in the real life. Also, I will help my brother be more sociable and try to free him from the control of games and television. However, my brother denies the fact that video games will make you depress.