A longitudinal study, published in Pediatrics Open Science, following 8,324 children aged 9 to 14 in the United States has found that social media use is associated with a gradual increase in inattention symptoms. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Oregon Health & Science University tracked children annually for four years, assessing time spent on social media, television/videos, and video games alongside parent-reported attention measures.
On average, children spent 2.3 hours per day watching television or videos, 1.5 hours on video games, and 1.4 hours on social media. Only social media use was linked to growing inattention over time. The effect was small for individual children but could have broader consequences at the population level. Hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors were not affected.
The association remained consistent regardless of sex, ADHD diagnosis, genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status, or ADHD medication. Children with pre-existing inattention symptoms did not increase their social media use, indicating the relationship primarily runs from use to symptoms.
Researchers note that social media platforms can create mental distractions through notifications and messages, potentially reducing the ability to focus. The study does not suggest all children will experience attention difficulties but highlights the importance of informed decisions regarding digital media exposure.
The research team plans to continue monitoring the participants beyond age 14. The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Masonic Home for Children in Stockholm, with no reported conflicts of interest.
Source: “Digital Media, Genetics and Risk for ADHD Symptoms in Children – A Longitudinal Study,” Pediatrics Open Science, 2025.
Notes: This post was drafted with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed, edited, and published by humans.
Image: Vikas Makwana / unsplash
Read next: Pew Survey: 64% of Teens Use AI Chatbots, and 97% Go Online Daily
On average, children spent 2.3 hours per day watching television or videos, 1.5 hours on video games, and 1.4 hours on social media. Only social media use was linked to growing inattention over time. The effect was small for individual children but could have broader consequences at the population level. Hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors were not affected.
The association remained consistent regardless of sex, ADHD diagnosis, genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status, or ADHD medication. Children with pre-existing inattention symptoms did not increase their social media use, indicating the relationship primarily runs from use to symptoms.
Researchers note that social media platforms can create mental distractions through notifications and messages, potentially reducing the ability to focus. The study does not suggest all children will experience attention difficulties but highlights the importance of informed decisions regarding digital media exposure.
The research team plans to continue monitoring the participants beyond age 14. The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Masonic Home for Children in Stockholm, with no reported conflicts of interest.
Source: “Digital Media, Genetics and Risk for ADHD Symptoms in Children – A Longitudinal Study,” Pediatrics Open Science, 2025.
Notes: This post was drafted with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed, edited, and published by humans.
Image: Vikas Makwana / unsplash
Read next: Pew Survey: 64% of Teens Use AI Chatbots, and 97% Go Online Daily
