Addictive Screen Use May Be Linked to Poor Mental Health in Preteens: Study Finds

The researchers tracked children’s use of social media, mobile phones, and video games, and assessed how their screen use aligned with behaviors commonly linked to addiction. These included statements like “I play video games so I can forget about my problems,” or “I feel the need to use social media apps more and more.” Based on responses, the team identified usage patterns and linked them to mental health data, including suicidal ideation and behaviors.

Children with high or increasingly addictive use of social media or mobile phones had two to three times greater risk of suicidal behaviors than their peers with low addictive use. Notably, total screen time alone showed no association with mental health outcomes.

“Policy efforts should move away from generic limits on screen time and instead focus on identifying and addressing addictive patterns of screen use,” said lead author Yunyu Xiao, PhD, of Weill Cornell Medicine.

Reference: Xiao Y, Meng Y, Brown TT, Keyes KM, Mann JJ. Addictive Screen Use Trajectories and Suicidal Behaviors, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health in US Youths. JAMA. Published online June 18, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7829