According to a recent survey, U.S. teens spend 4.8 hours per day using seven popular social media apps, with YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram accounting for 87% of their social media time, and specifically, 37% of teens say they spend 5 or more hours a day, 14% spend 4 to less than 5 hours a day, 26% spend 2 to less than 4 hours a day, and 23% spend less than 2 hours a day on these three apps (1,2,3).
Too much screen time is also not good for mental health. For example, Zhai and colleague’s review of 24 studies shows that too much screen time (> 6 hours per day) can impact depression (1). Similarly, a review of 31 studies concluded that such sedentary behavior may also impact anxiety (2).
But how about media use and inattention or focus symptoms?
While an estimated 10% of the US population has adhd as of 2022(4) many more young adults report problems with attention, focus.
A recent study looked at the impact of social media use on attention.
What was the study?
3,051 students in 10th grade were followed for 24 months, and monitored for amount and frequency of social media use and adhd symptoms, both via self report. (5)
What was the result?
Over a 2-year follow-up, high-frequency use of digital media (>2x/day), with social media as one of the most common activities, was associated
with a modest yet statistically significant increased odds of developing ADHD symptoms (OR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.15) (5).
What are some caveats?
- While a number of other studies have shown a correlation (6), this is one of the first studies to show increase in adhd symptoms, but further research is needed.
- Intuitively, if you have numerous app notifications, use programs for brief periods you are likely conditioning your brain to pay attention for short snippets, which could make it awkward to pay attention for sustained periods of time.
Here is a previous post link with strategies for healthy ways of using media, and technology, including mindful technology use.
By Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA, OSU CCS Psychiatrist
Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.
References:
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/04/teen-social-use-mental-health#:~:text=4.8%20hours,of%20their%20social%20media%20time.
- Rothwell, J. (October 27, 2023). Parenting mitigates social media-linked mental health issues. Gallup. Survey conducted between June 26–July 17, 2023, with responses by 6,643 parents living with children between ages 3 and 19, and 1,591 teens living with those parents. https://news.gallup.com/poll/513248/parenting-mitigates-social-media-linked-mental-health-issues.aspx.
- Rothwell, J. (2023). How parenting and self-control mediate the link between social media use and mental health. https://ifstudies.org/ifs-admin/resources/briefs/ifs-gallup-parentingsocialmediascreentime-october2023-1.pdf.
- Li Y, Yan X, Li Q, et al. Prevalence and Trends in Diagnosed ADHD Among US Children and Adolescents, 2017-2022. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10):e2336872. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36872
- 82. Ra, C. K., Cho, J., Stone, M. D., De La Cerda, J., Goldenson, N. I., Moroney, E., Tung, I., Lee, S. S., & Leventhal, A. M. (2018). Association of Digital Media Use With Subsequent Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Adolescents. JAMA, 320(3), 255–263. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.8931
- Dekkers, T. J., & van Hoorn, J. (2022). Understanding Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents with Attention
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Narrative Review and Clinical Recommendations. Brain Sciences, 12(12), 1625. https://
doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12121625