Adolescents who become heavily dependent on mobile phones, video games, or social media are more likely to face mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours, according to a long-term study.
The research, which observed nearly 4,300 children from the age of nine or ten over four years, looked beyond screen time to focus on patterns of compulsive use. Young people who showed signs of addiction, such as difficulty cutting back, distress without access, or interference with daily responsibilities - faced a significantly higher risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties later on.
By the end of the study, those with increasing or persistently high levels of compulsive phone or social media use were about twice as likely to report suicidal behaviour compared to peers with low or stable use. Similar trends were observed in video game use, where more than 40% of the participants fell into a high-risk group, showing links to symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression, or rule-breaking behaviour.
Importantly, the total time spent on devices did not appear to be the core issue. The findings suggest that how young people interact with technology, and the emotional and behavioural patterns surrounding that use, matters more than how long they are online.
Researchers grouped participants based on their digital behaviour, rather than relying on average screen time. For mobile phones, around half of the children showed strong signs of addictive use early on, which remained consistent. An additional quarter developed such patterns as they grew older. In social media use, about 41% followed a high or increasing risk trajectory.
These patterns were linked to a two- to threefold increase in risk for suicide-related outcomes and emotional difficulties, suggesting that problematic engagement with digital platforms may play a role in shaping adolescent mental health.
The study did not establish that screens directly cause mental illness. However, it highlights that compulsive digital behaviour can signal underlying issues, or possibly intensify existing challenges. The appeal of constant access, algorithm-driven content, and social feedback loops may make it especially difficult for vulnerable users to disconnect.
Experts say the findings should encourage parents, schools, and policymakers to consider the emotional context of screen use. Interventions drawn from addiction treatment models may offer more effective support than simple limits or bans, which might not address the underlying dependence.
With growing concern about youth mental health, and continued debate over smartphone regulation, this research adds a new layer of evidence. It underscores the importance of looking at behavioural patterns, not just screen time, in shaping how young people experience and are affected by technology.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: YouTube Shorts Now Gets 200 Billion Views Every Day, Becomes One of the Most-Watched Video Platforms
The research, which observed nearly 4,300 children from the age of nine or ten over four years, looked beyond screen time to focus on patterns of compulsive use. Young people who showed signs of addiction, such as difficulty cutting back, distress without access, or interference with daily responsibilities - faced a significantly higher risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties later on.
By the end of the study, those with increasing or persistently high levels of compulsive phone or social media use were about twice as likely to report suicidal behaviour compared to peers with low or stable use. Similar trends were observed in video game use, where more than 40% of the participants fell into a high-risk group, showing links to symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggression, or rule-breaking behaviour.
Importantly, the total time spent on devices did not appear to be the core issue. The findings suggest that how young people interact with technology, and the emotional and behavioural patterns surrounding that use, matters more than how long they are online.
Researchers grouped participants based on their digital behaviour, rather than relying on average screen time. For mobile phones, around half of the children showed strong signs of addictive use early on, which remained consistent. An additional quarter developed such patterns as they grew older. In social media use, about 41% followed a high or increasing risk trajectory.
These patterns were linked to a two- to threefold increase in risk for suicide-related outcomes and emotional difficulties, suggesting that problematic engagement with digital platforms may play a role in shaping adolescent mental health.
The study did not establish that screens directly cause mental illness. However, it highlights that compulsive digital behaviour can signal underlying issues, or possibly intensify existing challenges. The appeal of constant access, algorithm-driven content, and social feedback loops may make it especially difficult for vulnerable users to disconnect.
Experts say the findings should encourage parents, schools, and policymakers to consider the emotional context of screen use. Interventions drawn from addiction treatment models may offer more effective support than simple limits or bans, which might not address the underlying dependence.
With growing concern about youth mental health, and continued debate over smartphone regulation, this research adds a new layer of evidence. It underscores the importance of looking at behavioural patterns, not just screen time, in shaping how young people experience and are affected by technology.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: YouTube Shorts Now Gets 200 Billion Views Every Day, Becomes One of the Most-Watched Video Platforms
