Screen Use Linked to Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in Adolescents

Research conducted at the University of Oslo has identified a complex relationship between screen use and adolescent mental health, suggesting that both high and low screen use may reflect underlying mental health vulnerabilities. The study analyzed data from 23,790 adolescents and found that spending more than 3-4 hours a day on screens was associated with increased odds of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and hyperkinetic disorders. Furthermore, minimal social media engagement was linked to increased odds of pervasive developmental disorders.

Key Takeaways:

• The study analyzed data from 23,790 adolescents in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).
• Spending 3-4 hours a day or more on any screen-based activity was associated with increased odds of a lifetime diagnosis of depressive, anxiety/stress-related, and hyperkinetic disorders.
• Minimal social media engagement was associated with increased odds of psychiatric diagnoses, particularly pervasive developmental disorders.
• Associations with self-reported symptoms closely followed those observed for clinical diagnoses.
• Polygenic scores for major depression, anorexia nervosa, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder were associated with screen use, suggesting shared genetic liability.
• A substantial proportion of phenotypic associations appeared to be attributable to genetic confounding.
• The research suggests a complex, bidirectional relationship between screen use and adolescent mental health.
• Individualized, context-sensitive screen use guidelines are necessary.
• The study's findings have been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Psychiatry Research.

Statistics:

• 23,790 adolescents (aged 14-16) were analyzed in the study.
• Spending 3-4 hours a day or more on any screen-based activity was associated with a 1.5-fold increased odds of a lifetime diagnosis of depressive, anxiety/stress-related, and hyperkinetic disorders.
• Minimal social media engagement was associated with a 2-fold increased odds of psychiatric diagnoses, particularly pervasive developmental disorders.
• 30% of the phenotypic associations were attributable to genetic confounding.
• The study's findings suggest that screen use is linked to adverse mental health outcomes in adolescents.

Sources:

• The phenotypic and genetic relationship between adolescent mental health and time spent on social media, gaming, and TV (Psychiatry Research, 2025;353:116761)
• Evgeniia Frei et al. (2025). The phenotypic and genetic relationship between adolescent mental health and time spent on social media, gaming, and TV. Psychiatry Research, 353, 116761.