Tweens always on phones at greater risk of mental health issues: study

By Stephen Beech

Children as young as 11-years-old who are always on their mobile phone are at greater risk of serious mental health problems as teenagers, warns new research.

Addictive digital habits in early adolescence are linked to sleep disturbance and even suicidal behavior a year later as well as other mental well-being issues, according to the findings.

Problematic screen use disrupts development at a "critical" age - underlining the need for early interventions, say scientists.

Researchers who followed American adolescents aged 11 or 12 found that problematic use of mobile phones, social media, and video games were associated with higher risks of mental health problems.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, showed that the links between problematic screen use and mental health are stronger than those previously reported for overall screen time - and highlights the risks of addictive use.

The researchers found that screen use increases rapidly during early adolescence, which is also a critical window when mental health challenges, sleep problems, and substance use often begin to emerge.

While most previous research has focused on overall screen time or older adolescents, the new study focused on problematic, addiction-like patterns of screen use in early adolescence and whether they are associated with later adverse health outcomes.

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Tweens always on phones at greater risk of mental health issues: study

Lead investigator Professor Jason Nagata said: “Problematic screen use is when kids can’t control their time online, even if they try, and it starts to cause stress, conflicts, or problems at school or home.

"It can also lead to withdrawal-like feelings, needing more time online to feel satisfied, and repeated relapses, much like other addictive behaviours.”

The research team analysed data from more than 8,000 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the US, following youngsters from ages 11 or 12 to one year later.

The study found that problematic mobile phone and social media use were associated with higher depressive, somatic, attention/deficit, oppositional defiant, and conduct problems scores; suicidal behaviours; sleep disturbance; and substance initiation.

Problematic video game use was associated with higher depressive, attention/deficit, and oppositional defiant scores; suicidal behaviours; and sleep disturbance.

The researchers say their findings underpin the necessity of interventions specifically tailored to early adolescents amid ongoing concerns about youth mental health and the rapid rise of digital media use at younger ages.

Professor Nagata, of the University of California, San Francisco, said: “Not all screen time is harmful.

"The real risk comes when use becomes addictive or problematic, when kids can’t stop, feel stressed if they don’t use it, or it starts to disrupt sleep, mood, or daily life.”

He added: “Our findings suggest that digital platforms and families alike should consider ways to reduce addictive features of apps and social media, since these patterns of use are modifiable and can affect adolescent mental health."