It’s 2025, and we’re in an age in which digital screens are woven into nearly every aspect of our daily lives. We wake up to phone alarms. We use television as background noise. We rely on video games and social media for entertainment. We scroll until we fall asleep. We post moments of our lives to social media, rather than living in the moment. Even children rely on screens for entertainment, education, and connection. There are benefits and downsides to this. On one hand, screens act as a window into the world around us—they keep us connected and updated. They help us learn. On the other hand, though, they distract us from reality. Screens are also extremely addictive.
New research shows that by 11 years old, almost one-third of children show increasing signs of addiction to social media or mobile phones. 40 percent show increasing signs of addiction to video games. And this is before they hit adolescence. Teenagers clock in roughly four hours of screen time daily, with older teens using screens more frequently.
Why is this important? Because studies also show there’s a link between screen addiction and poor mental health. Specifically, screen addiction increases the risk of suicidal behaviors. Longer periods of screen use are also associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, but it’s screen addiction that poses the largest risk.
What is Screen Addiction?
Screen addiction is a problem in which a person becomes excessively dependent on digital devices (such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs), to the point that it interferes with their daily life. Screen addiction is different from too much screen use, however. Screen addiction means that the use of digital screens has disrupted one’s health, relationships, or ability to function.
Indicators of screen addiction can include:
- Excessive use of screens, for hours on end, often using longer than intended
- Inability to control one’s use of screens, finding it difficult to cut back or stop use
- Neglecting one’s responsibilities (such as school, work, or even sleep) due to screens
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or restless when unable to use/access screens
- Loss of interest in other, once-loved activities
- Using screens as a way to cope, avoid stress, combat boredom, or escape emotions
- Insomnia, due to a delay in melatonin production from screens
Additionally, screen addiction might look like:
- Constantly checking for notifications on one’s smartphone
- Feeling uneasy or ill-tempered when unable to use screens
- Withdrawing from friends and family, or neglecting social situations, for screen use
- Using screens during inappropriate or potentially dangerous situations, such as operating a vehicle or during work hours
- Experiencing headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, or neck/shoulder pain due to screen use
- Lying about the extent of one’s screen use
Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not explicitly define screen addiction, it does list the characteristics of behavioral addictions including video game addiction, internet addiction, and cell phone addiction. Within these categories, the DSM-5 lists symptoms like the above, along with the continued over- and excessive use of screens, despite negative consequences.
The Link Between Screen Addiction and Mental Health
Research has long found a connection between screen time and mental health, as well as social media and mental health, but screen addiction has become the latest concern among researchers. New evidence, analyzed from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD Study), shows that addictive patterns in screen use significantly increase the risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, and suicidal behaviors or thoughts.
Screen Addiction and Suicide
Published in JAMA in June, researchers found that addictive screen trajectories—i.e. high or increasing screen addiction over the years—were associated with higher suicide risks. Specifically, after tracking adolescents for four years, the study found that teens with high or increasing addictions to their mobile phones, social media, and/or video games had 2 to 3 times the risk of suicidal behaviors than their non-addicted counterparts. Suicidal behaviors included making suicide plans and actual attempts.
This was, perhaps, the most notable, concerning, and confirming finding of this report.
Screen Addiction vs. Screen Time
Screen time is something that’s easy to measure – our phones even send notifications about how much time we’re spending on the apps. However, screen time doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. Sometimes, screens are necessary for things like learning and staying in touch. It’s when screens are used for negative tasks, used to escape reality/daily life, or when use becomes hard to control, that increases one’s mental health risk. However, total screen time alone is not associated with suicide risk.
When children and teenagers start to show signs of screen addiction, coupled with increasing time spent on social media, that’s when parents should become concerned about the risks of depression, suicide, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
Unfortunately, these signs are more common than we think:
- Studies show that by age 12, close to half (47.5%) of children lose track of how much time they spend on their phones
- Almost one-quarter (22.5%) of 11–12-year-olds admit to spending a lot of time thinking about their social media apps
- By ages 12-13, one in four pre-teens uses social media to forget about their problems
As parents, teachers, caregivers, and mentors, it’s important that we flag any suspicions about screen addiction, particularly if those symptoms are coupled with signs of depression or anxiety.
What Parents Can Do About Screen Addiction
Are you concerned whether your child or teen is dependent on screen use? Are you concerned about the mental health outcomes associated with digital screens?
First, as a parent, it’s important to remember that every child is unique. Just because your child has used screens previously, or because you use screens to balance out your days as a parent, does not mean your child is destined for mental health struggles. However, if your child or teen has started to show signs of depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, or a general dependence on screens to get through the day, then it’s time to make a change.
Essentially, if you agree with the below statements, it’s a sign to get your son or daughter help:
- Your child uses screens to forget about their problems.
- Your child is unable to control or reduce their screen use.
- Your child loses track of their time spent on screens.
- Your child becomes stressed, anxious, or upset if unable to use screens.
- Your child spends a lot of time thinking about social media, games, or even notifications.
- Your child’s relationships (with friends or family) have been neglected or disrupted because of their screen use.
Fortunately, if you’re noticing these behaviors now, it’s not too late to make a change and get your loved one help. So what can you, as a parent, do?
If you suspect screen addiction and mental health issues as a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first encourages you to replace screen time with other activities. Think: going outside, starting a hobby like baking, reading books, or getting active through dance/exercise. Additionally, do your best to create screen-free environments in your home. For example, screens at the dinner table, and in the bedroom, should be off limits. These are environments that should be reserved for healthy habits and interactions.
For those with full-blown screen addictions, however, more stringent changes might be needed. Parents may need to take away their teens’ phones for weeks at a time, or remove video games from their home. While it will be hard at first, teens will eventually replace screen use with other activities.
Further, those showing signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles should be addressed with care and support. Often, the best way to set up children and teens for long-term mental health success is to enroll in a professional treatment program. Professional mental health treatment not only addresses the disruptive symptoms of mental disorders; it also teaches young people the skills and resources they need to build healthy, purposeful, and independent lives.
Turnbridge is a recognized mental health treatment provider for teenagers and young adults struggling with addiction and other mental health issues. We understand the unique experiences of young people, and our clinicians are specially trained to address the needs of teens and young adults in treatment. Learn more by visiting us online today, or calling us at 877-581-1793.