In the letter to Francis Collins, MD, director of the NIH, the legislators acknowledged the ways technological advancements have improved peoples’ lives but questioned whether technology-driven stress can lead to “depression, lack of focus, sleep deprivation and fragmented communities.”
“To address the open question of whether we are addicted to technological devices and platforms, Congress must understand the current scientific consensus, potential gaps in research and the best way to build a body of evidence that can inform effective policymaking,” the senators wrote. “Technology companies must also engage in this national dialogue and provide researchers the necessary data required for their studies.”
Mr. Schatz and Mr. Bennet asked the NIH to write a briefing that addresses technology addiction, the public health effects of social networking and gaps in public understanding of technology’s influence on childhood development.
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