Researchers aren’t sure why it’s happening, but using digital media instead of going out with friends could have something to do with it.
I know, the kids are always complaining they’re bored. Or, maybe yours aren’t. But anyways, according to a recent study done at Washington State University, kids in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades are growing more and more bored in the United States. And for some reason, the girls are saying they’re more bored than the boys.
The study took place over ten years and it tracked the teens’ responses to a question about boredom as part of the nationwide survey done in schools called ‘Monitoring the Future’. Adolescents were asked to rate their answer to the question “I am often bored” on a scale of 1 to 5.
Why does it matter that kids say they’re growing more bored?
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“Everybody experiences boredom from time to time, but many people don’t realize it may be associated with depressive symptoms and risky behaviors, such as substance misuse,” said Elizabeth Weybright, a WSU researcher of adolescent development.
Sensation-seeking and depression are said to be on the rise in U.S teens. The use of digital media doubled for students in 12th grade, between 2006 and 2012, which could be unrelated, but is also of note.
What researchers didn’t investigate in this study is what teens are usually doing or not doing when they feel bored, and how they respond to this mood. It was noted that some adolescents are said to be going out less with their friends, and spending more time alone.
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