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Screens aren’t destroying young minds. I should know.

As a member of Gen Z, I have studied the effects of social media on adolescent mental health from a perspective most psychology researchers lack: I grew up under its influence.

By Adam Omary
The Philadelphia Tribune
https://www.phillytrib.com/

For many young people, gaming and social media are not causes of distress but coping tools for loneliness, stability and connection. —UNSPLASH PHOTO

As a member of Gen Z, I have studied the effects of social media on adolescent mental health from a perspective most psychology researchers lack: I grew up under its influence.

Between ages 12 and 17, I was obese, socially isolated and addicted to the fantasy video game RuneScape. I was home-schooled, lived with just my mother and rarely went outside. I logged over 10,000 hours in that game alone, nearly a third of my waking life during those years.

Adam Omary is a psychologist and research fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.

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