IMPACT OF THE EXACERBATED USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ON CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of the excessive use of digital technologies on the mental health of children and adolescents. Methods: Systematic review of the literature, of a qualitative nature, carried out in July 2024, using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through the combination of DeCS/MeSH descriptors and the Boolean operators “and” and “or” represented below: (((child) OR (adolescent)) AND (digital technology)) AND (mental health). Results and Discussion: After the steps described in the methodology were carried out, 10 articles were chosen from the targeted search in the databases used in this article: MEDLINE and EMBASE. These were listed and critically analyzed in the present study to determine, through this analysis, the impact of the excessive use of digital technologies on the psychological health of children and adolescents. Final Considerations: Excessive use of screens can have a negative impact on the mental health of children and adolescents, especially if it causes damage and impairment to sleep and physical activity.