ResearchPod Summary
This study sought to determine whether longitudinal patterns of addictive screen use—specifically for social media, mobile phones, and video games—are associated with suicidal behaviors, suicidal ideation, and mental health symptoms in US youths. Unlike previous research that focused primarily on total screen time, this study examines how the nature of screen engagement changes over time during early adolescence.
Researchers analyzed data from 4,285 participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, tracking them from age 10 through a 4-year follow-up. They used validated questionnaires to measure addictive use (compulsive use, difficulty disengaging, and distress when not using) across three platforms. Using latent class linear mixed models, they identified distinct trajectories of addictive use for each platform. They then used adjusted regression models to assess the relationship between these trajectories and suicide-related outcomes and mental health symptoms, while controlling for baseline demographics and clinical history.
The study identified that nearly one-third of adolescents followed an increasing trajectory of addictive social media or mobile phone use starting around age 11. These increasing trajectories, as well as high-peaking trajectories, were consistently linked to higher risks of suicidal behaviors and ideation. For example, youths with an increasing trajectory of social media addiction had a risk ratio of 2.14 for suicidal behaviors compared to those with low addictive use. Notably, total screen time at baseline was not associated with these outcomes, highlighting that how a child uses a device is more predictive of mental health risks than the total duration of use.
These findings suggest that public health interventions should shift focus away from simple screen time limits and toward identifying and addressing addictive patterns of digital engagement. By recognizing that specific trajectories of use are linked to severe mental health outcomes, clinicians and parents can better identify at-risk youths and provide targeted support before these behaviors escalate.
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