Study links addictive screen use in early teens to mental health disorders

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine indicates that problematic screen use among children aged 11 to 12 is linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders. Researchers analyzed data from over 8,000 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, the largest research project on child brain development in the United States. The findings suggest that addictive-like use of mobile phones, social media, and video games correlates with depression, ADHD, and oppositional behavior one year later. Additionally, the study identifies links to suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, and the initiation of substance use. The correlation between screen addiction and negative health outcomes was found to be stronger than previously estimated in earlier research. Approximately 49.5% of adolescents in the U.S. have reportedly experienced some form of mental illness. This research highlights early adolescence as a critical period for brain development where children often struggle to control their screen time. Scientists tracked the subjects for one year to establish the prospective link between screen habits and behavioral outcomes.