Background
Adolescence represents a phase of increased risk for the emergence of mental health problems. Depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading reasons for disability and illness in adolescents. The current generation is growing up immersed in a world saturated with electronic media. Media use of screen-based electronic devices is comprehensive, including television, computers, tablets, and smartphones. In the last 10 years, the usage of mobile internet devices has boosted exponentially, becoming part of everyday life.
Objective
To understand the association between screen time and adolescent’s mental health.
Methods
- This review was performed in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses- PRISMA.
- An update search was conducted with the following keywords “screen time”, “adolescent”, and “mental health” on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases.
- The articles that directly evaluated associations between screen time and mental health and measured mental health outcomes through validated scales were included.
- Case reports, case series, and research that used screen-based devices to aid functionality were excluded.
Results
- 50 articles were included, and most have found associations between screen exposure and mental health in adolescents.
- The most used device by adolescents was the smartphone and use on weekdays was associated with diminished mental well-being.
- Social media use was negatively associated with mental well-being and, in girls, associated with a higher risk for depression.
- Increased television viewing and personal computer use were predictive of behaviour problems, hyperactivity, and inattention in girls.
- Increased time spent on social media was the only screen media activity significantly associated with worse mental health.
Conclusion
The results of this review suggest that watching television for 2 to 4 hours on school days was negatively associated with anxiety and self-esteem. Screen exposure time was most positively associated with problems in teens’ mental well-being. Social media use had a median negative association with mental well-being in adolescents and increased risk of depression in girls. Excessive screen time in adolescents appears to be associated with mental health problems.