Are you worried about the time we spend on our phones? Learn how excessive screen time can affect our mental health.
In our digital age, screen time has become an integral part of everyday life for both children and adults. Whether for educational purposes, work, entertainment, or socializing, people are spending more and more time in front of a screen. But as this trend increases, so too are concerns about the potential impact of screen time on mental health.
Research in recent years has increasingly shown that excessive screen use, especially in children and adolescents, is associated with negative psychological effects, such as depression and anxiety. Adults are not left untouched, as prolonged screen use has also been linked to mood swings and anxiety. In this article, we examine the evidence to determine whether and how screen time affects the mood of both children and adults.
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Many studies over the past decade have investigated the impact of screen time on children and adolescents, particularly its role in the exacerbation or emergence of mood disorders. One of the most widely cited studies, by Twenge and Campbell (2018), found that excessive screen time is significantly associated with lower psychological well-being in children and adolescents. This study, using a large sample of the general population, concluded that children who spend more than three hours per day on screens are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems compared to those who have less screen time.
Supporting these findings, the study by Przybylski and Weinstein (2017) provided a balanced view, analyzing three large databases. They concluded that while moderate screen time may not have a significant impact on well-being, excessive use – particularly more than four to five hours a day – is associated with more pronounced negative effects on mental health, including an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
It is important to note that not all types of screen time are equally harmful. Different forms of screen use can have different effects on mental health. According to Twenge and Campbell (2018), excessive involvement in video games and social media has particularly harmful effects.
However, not all screen activities are harmful. Research by Przybylski and Weinstein (2017) shows that the use of video calling apps, which allow for real-life social interactions, can have positive effects on mental well-being, as long as it does not replace in-person contact.
Prolonged screen time affects not only children, but also adults, especially those who work in occupations that require extensive computer use. The effects of screen time on adult mental health is an issue that is increasingly of concern to researchers, as adults spend a significant portion of their day in front of screens, both for work and for entertainment.
According to a 2020 study, adults who spend more than 6 hours a day in front of screens are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Specifically, employees who use computers for professional purposes report increased levels of exhaustion and stress when their total screen time exceeds 8 hours a day.
Even after work, many adults continue to use screens for recreational purposes, such as using social media and watching TV series. The result is that the average adult in the US, according to a 2021 report from Nielsen, spends almost 12 hours a day in front of a screen, if we take into account all sources of exposure, such as computers, phones, televisions and tablets .
This high number of hours of exposure is associated with increased fatigue, insomnia and worsening mood. According to a study by the University of California (2021), adults who spend more than 7 hours a day in front of screens have a 30% increased risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety compared to those who limit their use to less than 3 hours a day.
More specifically, excessive use of social media is a key factor that burdens the mental health of adults. Adults who spend more than 2 hours a day on social media have higher levels of stress and lower levels of life satisfaction compared to those who limit their use to less than an hour. In particular, constant exposure to news and negative content may increase the risk of developing depressive symptoms.
Overall, the evidence suggests that prolonged screen time can have serious effects on the mental and physical health of adults, leading to symptoms of anxiety, depression, burnout, and sleep difficulties. Balancing screen time with non-screen activities, such as physical exercise and social interactions, is critical for maintaining adults’ mental well-being.
The answer is not to eliminate screen time altogether, as digital interactions can provide social support, entertainment, and educational benefits. Instead, the goal should be to find a balance, promoting healthy screen use habits and ensuring that screen time does not replace other important activities.
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