Impact of screen time and social media on adolescent mental health

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical stage for forming social and emotional habits that significantly influence mental wellbeing. Screen time refers to the total duration a person engages with electronic devices that have screens, including computers, smartphones. Adolescents increasingly spend significant time on digital devices and social media platforms. A literature review was performed using WHO, PubMed, National Institute of Health, focusing on studies published within the past decade. Included articles examined the impact of screen time and social media use on mental health outcomes in adolescents aged 10–19. Evidence shows that social media exerts both risks and benefits for adolescent mental health. Approximately 24% of U.S.A. adolescents perceive it as harmful, 31% as beneficial, and 45% as neutral. Negative outcomes include cyberbullying, peer rejection, and exposure to self-harm content, all associated with depression and suicidal ideation. Sleep disruption is also prevalent: 36% report waking at night to check devices, and 40% use phones within five minutes of bedtime, contributing to poor sleep quality and distress. A longitudinal study of 3,826 adolescents found that each additional hour of social media use was linked with a 0.64-point increase in depressive symptoms, while yearly within-person increases predicted a 0.41-point rise. Conversely, 81% of adolescents state that social media enhances connectedness, supporting identity, peer bonding, and access to resources. Problematic use is most strongly associated with adverse outcomes, whereas balanced engagement may foster resilience. Longitudinal research remains essential to clarify causal pathways.