The observation was performed on 11341 kids. In a gap of three years the researchers and scientist checked with the kids who were then 14 years old and asked them questions about depressive symptoms such as low mood poor concentration and loss of pleasure. The results were astounding as scientists found out that the boys who had played video games maximum time had exhibited a 24 per cent reduction in depressive symptoms (after three years) than the boys who played the video games only once a month.

Adding to this this phenomenon was seen only in boys with low levels of physical activity and not in girls. The study’s lead author PhD student Aaron Kandola from UCL Psychiatry told that screen and digital devices allowed kids to throw themselves into an extensive range of activities. He further added that guidelines rules and recommendations about screen time should be based on a deep insight on how they influence people’s mental health and whether that influence is positive or negative.

The researchers were not sure whether playing video games could improve mental health but it seemed that it was not harmful and didn’t have a negative impact. Of course the pandemic had proven that social media platform like video games had been an indispensable part for youngsters. He enlightened on the fact that people need to reduce how much time children and adults spend sitting down for their physical and mental health but that doesn’t mean that screen use was detrimental and malign.

In another study scientist found out that girls who spent more time using social media were more likely to develop depressive symptoms. 11-year-old girls who used social media were prone to report depressive symptoms 13 times more than the girls who used their social media less than once a month. Senior author Dr Mats Hallgren of the Karolinska Institute added that the understanding of screen time and mental health is a bit complex because their relationship is quite complicated. Researchers and scientists still need to dive deep into their research for a clear and better understanding.

He further added that any initiatives to reduce young people’s screen time should be targeted and nuanced. Their research hunted for the possible upside of screen time. However he pointed that people still need to persuade and motivate young people to be physically active and to cut off the extended periods of sitting with light physical activity. So there had been an upside of all those years where boys had played Mario Kart and have not wasted their time.

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