Understanding the Impact of Addictive Screen Use on Youth Mental Health

Recent research underscores that it's not merely the total amount of time young people spend on screens that influences their mental health, but rather the nature of their engagement—particularly addictive behaviors related to social media, smartphones, and video games. A comprehensive study published in June 2025 in JAMA involved tracking nearly 4,300 youths over several years, revealing that patterns characterized by compulsive use, distress when not using devices, or using screens to escape problems are linked to higher risks of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and emotional or behavioral issues. Interestingly, simply increasing screen time at age ten did not correlate with worse mental health outcomes.

The study emphasizes that high levels of addictive use—especially when behaviors are persistent or escalating—are associated with a two- to threefold increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors. Different types of digital activities, such as social media, phones, and gaming, each show unique patterns of association with mental health problems.

Researchers utilized machine learning to identify specific trajectories of addictive use. By age 14, a significant portion of participants fell into high addictive use categories for social media, mobile phones, or gaming, which were strongly linked to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and externalizing behaviors such as aggression. This suggests that the quality of engagement with digital devices matters more than the sheer duration.

Experts believe this shift in understanding calls for reevaluating how digital use is managed among youth. Traditional approaches like limiting overall screen time may be less effective than addressing the behavioral patterns and emotional responses associated with device use. Early identification of addictive behaviors and targeted interventions could be integral to safeguarding adolescent mental health.

This research highlights the importance of ongoing assessment of digital habits and promoting healthier engagement strategies. Future efforts aim to develop interventions that address addictive tendencies early, reducing risks of suicidal behavior and other mental health issues.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-addictive-screen-total-linked-youth.html