India, July 12 -- We worry about the time kids spend using screens - but what if the time their caregivers spend on phones is also harmful? Scientists working on digital mental health noticed increasing reports of teenagers struggling with their parents' phone use and decided to investigate. Their new findings show that teenagers who report that their caregivers are often distracted from them by devices are more likely to display insecure attachment styles, which can have serious negative consequences for their future health and wellbeing.

"About 10 years ago I started to notice some concerning primary caregiver device use behaviors," said Dr Don Grant of the Center for Research and Innovation at Newport Healthcare, a corresponding autho...