Twin Study Suggests Screen Time's Link to Teen Depression May Be Overstated
A large new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Human Behaviour, followed more than 21,000 Swedish twins from age 9 into adulthood to untangle how screen time relates to depression and anxiety. While teens spending 6+ hours daily on interactive screen activities did report more symptoms, the link weakened considerably when comparing twins within the same family — suggesting genes and upbringing explain much of the association. The researchers caution that screen time isn't irrelevant, but advice should focus on what young people do on screens and why, not just total hours.
Source: Medical Xpress Study Identifies a Link Between Specific Brain Circuits and Anxiety in Adolescents
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital analyzed brain imaging from nearly 3,500 young people in the ABCD study, published in the journal Imaging Neuroscience, and identified a brain circuit linking the cerebellum, amygdala, and thalamus where weaker connections were associated with higher anxiety in teens. The differences were already measurable at ages 11–12, highlighting the value of early intervention. In contrast, stronger efficiency in other brain networks appeared protective against social and generalized anxiety disorders. The study describes associations, not tested treatments.
Source: News-Medical Study Examines Rising Use of Emergency Holds for Youth in Mental Health Crisis
A study led by Children's National Hospital, published in Pediatrics, reviewed 14,883 mental and behavioral health visits to one urban pediatric emergency department from 2019 through 2024 and found that emergency holds became more common each year — about 15% of visits involved a young person arriving under an emergency hold, with 64% transported by law enforcement. Hold use was associated with longer emergency department stays and greater use of physical restraints. The authors call for closer examination of how hold decisions are made and for more community-based crisis services so young people can reach care safely.
Source: Children's National Hospital
A large new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Human Behaviour, followed more than 21,000 Swedish twins from age 9 into adulthood to untangle how screen time relates to depression and anxiety. While teens spending 6+ hours daily on interactive screen activities did report more symptoms, the link weakened considerably when comparing twins within the same family — suggesting genes and upbringing explain much of the association. The researchers caution that screen time isn't irrelevant, but advice should focus on what young people do on screens and why, not just total hours.
Source: Medical Xpress Study Identifies a Link Between Specific Brain Circuits and Anxiety in Adolescents
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital analyzed brain imaging from nearly 3,500 young people in the ABCD study, published in the journal Imaging Neuroscience, and identified a brain circuit linking the cerebellum, amygdala, and thalamus where weaker connections were associated with higher anxiety in teens. The differences were already measurable at ages 11–12, highlighting the value of early intervention. In contrast, stronger efficiency in other brain networks appeared protective against social and generalized anxiety disorders. The study describes associations, not tested treatments.
Source: News-Medical Study Examines Rising Use of Emergency Holds for Youth in Mental Health Crisis
A study led by Children's National Hospital, published in Pediatrics, reviewed 14,883 mental and behavioral health visits to one urban pediatric emergency department from 2019 through 2024 and found that emergency holds became more common each year — about 15% of visits involved a young person arriving under an emergency hold, with 64% transported by law enforcement. Hold use was associated with longer emergency department stays and greater use of physical restraints. The authors call for closer examination of how hold decisions are made and for more community-based crisis services so young people can reach care safely.
Source: Children's National Hospital