Teenagers Spending Over 3 Hours Daily on Screens Linked to Increased Anxiety and Depression: Study of 500 Teens

A recent study reveals a correlation between increased screen time in teenagers and a rise in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Researchers observed a statistically significant association between the amount of time adolescents spend on electronic devices and their self-reported levels of anxiety and depressive feelings. The study also indicated a decrease in physical activity among teenagers who reported higher screen time usage. The research, which followed over 500 teenagers aged 13-17 over a two-year period, collected data on screen time through self-reported surveys detailing daily usage of smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. Participants also completed standardized questionnaires designed to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. The findings showed that teenagers who spent more than three hours per day on screens were significantly more likely to report experiencing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worry. In addition, the study noted that adolescents with high screen time exhibited a tendency to engage in fewer extracurricular activities and reported lower levels of physical exercise compared to their peers who limited their screen time.

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Date: April 29, 2025

Author

Mark Chiang