Zen of Jen

Teen Girls’ Stunning Smart Phone Usage

New research from Finland finds that teen girls spend more than five hours a day on their smartphones.

The find also reveals that most are addicted to social media, a fixation that has been tied to poorer health and well-being.

“The implications of nearly six hours of daily smartphone use and its associations with adolescent wellbeing are serious,” the study authors wrote in findings published Tuesday in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.

The participants also rated their health, mood, tiredness and loneliness. The researchers found that about 17% of the teens were possibly addicted to social media, while 37% showed signs of an anxiety disorder.

Social media addiction was linked to higher levels of anxiety, poorer body image, poorer health, lower mood, more tiredness, and greater feelings of loneliness.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to combine objectively measured smartphone use with validated measures of social media addiction and well-being,” the researchers wrote.

Recent Headlines

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist and founding member, dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died Thursday. He was 74.

1 day ago in Business, Community, Education, Lifestyle, Local, Regional

State officials cut ribbon at Broome-Tioga BOCES Trade Complex

Officials cut the ribbon last week at Broome-Tioga BOCES' brand-new Trade Complex.

1 day ago in Community, Crime, Lifestyle, Local

Tompkins County lawmakers accept GIVE grant, Flock Security contract

On October 7, Tompkins County lawmakers considered accepting a grant at the Legislature meeting that would help fund the continued use of Flock Security devices.

1 day ago in Community, Lifestyle, Local

Ovid Library accepting hygiene product donations through Saturday

A hygiene drive at the Edith B. Ford Memorial Library in Ovid runs through October 18.

2 days ago in Business, Entertainment, Finance, Government, Local, Politics

Hangar Theatre receives $250K in state funding for renovations

Sen. Lea Webb has secured $250,000 for renovations at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca.