Teens who participate in extracurriculars, get less screen time, have better mental health

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uobc-twp110220.php

 

News Release 2-Nov-2020
University of British Columbia

 

A new study from UBC researchers finds that teens, especially girls, have better mental health when they spend more time taking part in extracurricular activities, like sports and art, and less time in front of screens.

The study, published in the journal Preventive Medicine, found that spending less than two hours per day of recreational screen time (such as browsing the internet, playing video games, and using social media) was associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and optimism, and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, especially among girls, the researchers found. Similarly, extracurricular participation was associated with better mental health outcomes.


•••••