Study Reveals Addictive Tech Use, Not Screen Time Alone, Fuels Youth Mental Health Crisis

A new nationwide study published June 18 in the journal JAMA has identified a major driver of mental health struggles among American youth—not the number of hours they spend on screens, but whether their technology use is compulsive or addictive.

Conducted over four years with 4,285 children starting around age 10, the research tracked patterns of screen use and self-reported addictive behavior. By age 14, or behavior compared to their peers.

The study, led by Dr. Yunyu Xiao of Weill Cornell Medical College, found that even moderate screen time can be harmful if children feel they cannot disengage or show signs of distress when separated from their devices. Nearly half the children reported high levels of addictive phone use, particularly around mobile phones, video games, and social media platforms.

“This is the first study to identify that addictive use is important, and is actually the root cause, instead of time,” said Dr. Xiao. She emphasized that interventions should target compulsive usage patterns through cognitive behavioral therapy rather than focusing only on screen time limits.

The findings challenge the prevailing narrative that all screen time is equally damaging. “We continue to tally time spent on screens instead of asking how young people are spending their time online and why,” noted Dr. Candice Odgers of UC Irvine, who was not involved in the study.

Policy experts say this shift in understanding should influence how lawmakers and tech companies approach youth safety. Mitch Prinstein, chief science officer at the American Psychological Association, argues that “age-appropriate design” standards—like those implemented in the UK—should be required to reduce the addictive potential of online platforms.

The study also uncovered disparities in tech addiction trends. Higher rates were found among Black and Hispanic youth, children from lower-income households, and those with unmarried or less-educated parents, raising equity concerns about who bears the burden of tech-driven mental health risks.

While the research did not establish a direct causal link, it strongly suggests that prolonged addictive behavior precedes mental health crises. It also casts doubt on one-size-fits-all solutions like screen time bans in schools, which continue to dominate policy debates.

As America grapples with rising suicide rates among adolescents, experts urge parents to look beyond screen hours and focus on behavioral cues. “Just taking away their phone might not help and could even worsen family dynamics,” warned Dr. Xiao.

Great work 🙂