Study Finds Link Between Screen Addiction and Suicidal Behaviors in Teens

A recent study has revealed that the amount of time spent on screens may not be the primary risk factor for teens’ mental health, but rather the addictive patterns of use. Teens with increasing addiction trajectories were found to be 2-3 times more likely to report suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This research sheds new light on the impact of screen addiction on teenage mental health.

Behavioral Impact of Screen Addiction

The study focused on young people’s patterns of compulsive or “addictive” screen use over time. This included behaviors such as feeling unable to stop using a device, experiencing distress when not using it, or using it to escape from problems. Researchers found a significant link between higher screen time at age 9 and suicidal behaviors two years later, indicating a potential risk factor for mental health issues.

Key Findings from the Study

The study followed participants for several years, starting in their early childhood. It found that high social media addiction and video game addiction were linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teens. However, total screen time alone did not have a significant effect, highlighting the importance of focusing on addictive patterns of use.

Implications for Teen Mental Health

According to the researchers, developing addictive behaviors towards digital technology can significantly increase the risk of suicidal behaviors within a few years. This highlights the need for interventions to address screen addiction and promote healthier technology use among teens.

“We need to move beyond social media screen time as the answer if we want to reduce teen suicide risk and promote their mental health,” said one of the researchers involved in the study.

The findings of this research are part of a larger study called the PLUS-2 project, which aims to understand the relationship between social media use, sleep patterns, and teen outcomes.