The possibility that smartphones were contributing to a decline in drug use by teenagers, Dr. Volkow said, was the first question she asked when she saw the agency’s most recent survey results. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThose findings are consistent with other studies showing steady declines over the past decade in drug use by teenagers after years of ebbs and flows. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThough smartphones seem ubiquitous in daily life, they are actually so new that researchers are just beginning to understand what the devices may do to the brain. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe survey found smaller but still statistically significant decreases in cocaine use by youths ages 12 to 17. Smartphones and computers are a growing source of concern, said Eric Elliott, Alexandra’s father, who is a psychologist at her school.

Source: New York Times March 13, 2017 16:41 UTC