Evidence shows that 4 or more hours of daily screen time is linked to greater anxiety and depression in teens

Teens get four or more hours screen time every day more chances to feel concern and depressionaccording to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics.

In a brief message of the agency Figures on Wednesday showed that around half of 12- to 17-year-olds spent four hours or more in front of a screen between July 2021 and December 2023. 22.8% had 3 hours of daily screen time, 17.8% had 2 hours, 6.1% had 1 hour, and only 3% had less than 1 hour.

In short, teens reported how they used screen time during a typical workday, excluding time spent on schoolwork, the authors noted.

During the same time period, about 1 in 4 teens who reported 4 or more hours of daily screen time experienced symptoms of anxiety (27.1%) or depression (25.9%) in the previous two weeks. Anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly reduced in teens who spent less than 4 hours of daily screen time, by 12.3% and 9.5%, respectively.

“Research like this shows the real amount of time our children spend in front of screens and the worrying consequences for their mental health and well-being.” Dr. Neha Chaudharypsychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and chief medical officer at Modern Health, told CBS News.

Chaudhary, who was not involved in the report, said she has seen firsthand the effects of technology on the stress, anxiety and depression levels of the children and parents she has worked with.

And while there is a growing body of research showing a link between social media and anxiety and depression, the reasons are a bit more complicated, she said.

“With online bullying, constant social comparison such as missing out on what others are or are doing, constant seeking of validation and impact on body image “It’s no surprise that more time spent on social media can be associated with anxiety and depression,” she said. “At the same time, people struggling with their mental health are more likely to try to turn to social media in order to cope with their symptoms, hoping to find connection, validation or sometimes even distraction.”

Even such organizations as American Academy of Pediatrics encourage teens to be mindful of daily screen use, but note that “screen time” can include a variety of content, including content that supports social connections or creativity.

That’s why Choudhary calls technologists the “double-edged sword” of our generation.

“While some will be able to find support and connection that will help them feel better because they will be able to find communities they may not otherwise have access to, many end up feeling worse or just as bad,” she said. “There is a challenge for parents and children how to balance it so we can get the benefits without sacrificing our mental health.”

Although boys and girls spent nearly the same amount of screen time in the latest report, black teens and those living in metropolitan areas were more likely to spend more than 4 hours in front of a screen than other groups.

“As technology and screens continue to evolve, their impact on children’s lives is changing, making it increasingly important to expand our understanding of patterns of screen time use overall and among specific subgroups,” the authors write.