For years, the debate surrounding youth mental health and technology has fixated on a single metric: screen time. How many hours are teens spending glued to their devices? But a groundbreaking new study published in the medical journal JAMA offers a surprising twist, suggesting that the real danger isn’t the amount of time online, but how that time is spent – specifically, if it becomes addictive.
The research, drawing on data from the extensive, long-term Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, followed over 4,000 children across the United States from around age 10 through age 14. Unlike many previous studies, it didn’t just track hours spent on screens. Instead, it regularly assessed children for signs of “addictive use,” such as compulsive behavior, difficulty disengaging, distress when denied access, preoccupation with screens, and using technology to avoid real-life problems.
Addiction, Not Hours, Linked to Higher Suicide Risk
The most significant finding challenged the conventional wisdom directly: the study found no association between the amount of screen time a child had at age 10 and their risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors four years later at age 14.
However, the children whose technology use became addictive told a different story. Researchers discovered a strong link between high or increasing addictive screen behavior and a significantly elevated risk for serious mental health issues. By age 14, teens exhibiting these patterns were found to be two to three times more likely to report having thoughts of suicide or attempting to harm themselves compared to their peers with low, stable levels of addictive use.
Addictive technology use was found to be remarkably common among the participants. Nearly half showed consistently high addictive use specifically with mobile phones. The study also identified a particularly vulnerable group: about 25% of children who started with low addictive use but saw a steep increase by age 14. This group showed a doubling in their risk of suicidal behavior, highlighting the critical importance of monitoring changes in behavior over time.
“This is the first study to identify that addictive use is important, and is actually the root cause, instead of time,” stated Dr. Yunyu Xiao, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Why the Distinction Matters
Experts suggest that addictive behavior is harder for children to control partly because the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for impulse control – isn’t fully developed during these formative years. Focusing solely on screen time limits can miss the underlying issue: the patterns of dependency and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
The study underscores that the nature and purpose of screen use are more predictive of mental health risks than sheer volume. Using screens, such as social media or video games, specifically to escape or forget problems is a significant red flag that can indicate underlying anxiety or depression.
Policy and Parenting Implications
This shift in understanding has major implications. Instead of placing the entire burden on parents to police screen time – a task that can be particularly challenging for single-parent or lower-income families who may rely on devices for temporary respite – the findings point towards the responsibility of technology companies.
Industry experts argue that addictive features are often intentionally “baked into the design” of platforms and devices. Policymakers could push for “age-appropriate design” mandates, similar to measures introduced in the UK, requiring companies to limit features known to be difficult for adolescents to resist.
For parents, the focus should shift from merely counting hours to recognizing the warning signs of addiction. These include difficulty stopping, feeling upset when not using screens, needing to use them more over time, or technology interfering with school or other activities.
Identifying Warning Signs:
Behavioral Changes: Notice shifts in sleeping, eating habits, school performance, or loss of interest in previously loved activities. Watch for angry outbursts or mood swings related to technology use.
Dependency Signs: Child struggles to put devices down or becomes distressed when access is limited.
Use for Avoidance: Child uses screens primarily to escape problems or negative feelings.
Preoccupation: Child seems constantly thinking about or wanting to use screens.
Dr. Xiao advises parents who notice early signs of addictive behavior to seek professional help. Interventions like cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) are often used to treat such addictions. Simply removing devices might not be the solution and could even create family conflict.
Navigating the Complex Debate
It’s important to note that the relationship between screen time and youth mental health remains a complex and debated topic. While this JAMA study highlights addiction as a primary driver of suicide risk, other researchers hold different views. Some studies have found links between higher total screen time at younger ages and later mental health symptoms, though effects can be small and may depend on the time gap between measurements. Other experts emphasize that all screen time, regardless of addictive patterns, can displace crucial activities like sleep, exercise, and face-to-face social interaction, which are vital for healthy development.
The study also revealed demographic disparities, with higher levels of addictive use observed among Black and Hispanic adolescents, and youth from households with lower incomes, unmarried parents, or parents without a college education.
Ultimately, while debates about the exact impact of total screen time will likely continue, this new research provides compelling evidence that the most severe mental health risks, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors, are strongly linked to the development of addictive patterns of technology use. The focus is shifting from how much time is spent to how and why that time becomes consuming and difficult to control.
If you are concerned about a child’s mental health or technology use:
Seek Professional Support: Talk to your child’s pediatrician or a mental health professional. They can assess the situation and recommend appropriate interventions.
Keep Communication Open: Create a safe space for your child to talk about their struggles, with you or another trusted adult.
In an Emergency: If you have immediate concerns about your child’s safety, do not leave them alone. Remove potentially lethal objects and seek immediate professional help (call 988, go to the nearest emergency room).
Resources:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or call 988
Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:* Offers guidance for those worried about someone in their life.
