Teenagers who spend four or more hours in front of the screen each day are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, according to a new report from the US National Centre for Health Statistics.
The findings showed that 50% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 had four hours or more of daily screen time between July 2021 and December 2023; 22.8% had three hours, 17.8% had two hours, 6.1% had one hour, and only 3% had less than an hour.
For the brief, the youngsters reported their own screen time use during a typical weekday, excluding time spent doing schoolwork, the authors noted.
During the same time frame, about one in four teens who reported four or more hours of daily screen time experienced anxiety (27.1%) or depression symptoms (25.9%) in the previous two weeks. Anxiety and depression symptoms reduced significantly for those who had less than four hours of daily screen time, 12.3% and 9.5%, respectively.
“Studies like these show the true extent of how much time our children are spending on screens and the worrying consequences to their mental health and well-being,” Dr Neha Chaudhary, psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and Chief Medical Officer at Modern Health, told CBS News.
Chaudhary, who was not involved in preparing the report, said she had seen first hand the effects of technology on stress levels, anxiety and depression in children and parents with whom she has worked.
And while there’s a growing body of research showing correlation between social media and anxiety and depression, the reasons behind it are a bit more complex, she said.
“With online bullying, constant social comparison like missing out on things others have or are doing, regularly looking for validation, and effects on body image – it’s no wonder that more time spent on social media can be tied to anxiety and depression,” she added. “At the same time, people who are struggling with their mental health might be more likely to try to turn to social media to cope with their symptoms, hoping to find connection, validation or sometimes even a distraction.”
Even organisations like the American Academy of Paediatrics recommend that teens be mindful of daily screen usage, but note “screen time” can include a range of content, including some that support social connection or creativity.
That's why Chaudhary calls technology the “double-edged sword” of our generation.
“While some might find support and connection that helps them feel better, as they are able to find communities to which they otherwise may not have had access, many end up feeling worse or just as bad,” she said. “The challenge for parents and children is how to balance it so we can reap the benefits without sacrificing our mental health.”
While screen times were mostly equal between boys and girls in the latest report, black teenagers and those living in metropolitan areas were more likely to have four-plus hours of daily screen time than other groups.
“As technology and screens continue to develop, their influence on the lives of children changes, making it increasingly important to expand our understanding of the patterns of screen time use overall and among selected subgroups,” the authors wrote.
screen time teens
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Spike in “problematic” teenage social media use – global study
Estimated 1 in 4 children and young people have problematic smartphone usage
US health chief warns of social media perils for youngsters