Doctors warn of ‘horrific’ impact of tech and devices on children and young people’s health

Medical professionals across the UK are increasingly concerned about the impact that modern technology, constant screen use and online content are having on children and young people’s mental and emotional health. In a recent report, leading medical bodies describe seeing more young people presenting with anxiety, sleep problems, emotional dysregulation, low mood and distress linked to excessive device use and exposure to harmful or overwhelming online material. For many children and teenagers, the nervous system simply isn’t designed to cope with the constant stimulation, comparison, pressure and sometimes frightening content that comes through phones, tablets and gaming platforms. Over time, this can leave young people feeling on edge, disconnected from their bodies, easily overwhelmed or shut down — patterns we often see in trauma and stress-related presentations. Parents are frequently left feeling worried, helpless or unsure where to draw boundaries, especially when technology has become so embedded in education and social life. Importantly, clinicians are now calling for this to be recognised not just as a “parenting issue”, but as a growing public health concern. From an EMDR and trauma-focused perspective, it’s helpful to understand how ongoing digital stress can sensitise the brain and nervous system — and how therapy can help children, teens and adults process distress, build resilience and restore a sense of emotional balance. You can read the full Sky News article via the link below: https://news.sky.com/story/doctors-warn-of-horrific-impact-of-tech-and-devices-on-young-peoples-health-13495803