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The bad news is that we’ve seen research indicating all sorts of problems can come from too much time in front of screens. According to a 2023 study, excessive screen usage has a negative impact on social and emotional growth, including a rise in the likelihood of obesity, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.
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While we cannot definitely say that social media on smartphones is directly causing an increase in depression, anxiety, and a whole host of physical and emotional disorders, we can see that there is a correlation between the rise of these apps and the rise in our children’s mental health troubles.
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However, there’s an emerging irony here: technology might also be a key part of the solution to kids’ mental health issues.
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Virtual therapy sessions can reduce logistical barriers like transportation and scheduling conflicts, providing flexibility and convenience for working parents. Studies have also shown that teletherapy’s effectiveness matches traditional face-to-face counseling, particularly for conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. What’s more, the same smartphones that deliver an endless stream of notifications and text messages are also used to send appointment reminders, updates, and other forms of support from mental health care providers.
Digital mental health care is an area where you, as an HR leader, can make a difference. You can support employees by offering comprehensive telehealth benefits, which can provide critical mental health resources for employees’ children.
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And these robust mental health telehealth options—such as access to virtual counseling platforms—can support not just employees’ children, but employees themselves! Having access to these kind of benefits fosters a healthier, more engaged workforce while addressing the growing mental health crisis among youth.
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Investing in these kinds of technology-driven mental health solutions can help you bridge the gap between technological harm and healing, ensuring employees and their families thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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Kristen Donahoe, BSN, RN, CCM, is a Senior Director, Clinical Consultant for Luminare Health.
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