The associations between screen time and mental health in adolescents: a systematic review

BackgroundAdolescents have extensive use of screens and, they have common complains related to mental health. Here a systematic review was done to understand the association between screen time and adolescent's mental health.MethodThis review was conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - PRISMA. An update search was performed in January 2023 with the following keywords: screen time, adolescent, and mental health on PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases.Results50 articles were included, most have found associations between screen exposure and mental health in adolescents. The most used device by adolescents was the smartphone and the use on weekdays was associated with diminished mental well-being. Social media use was negatively associated with mental well-being and, in girls, associated at higher risk for depression.ConclusionExcessive screen time in adolescents seems associated with mental health problems. Given the profusion and disparity of the results, additional studies are needed to clarify elements such as the screen content or the interaction of adolescents with different screen devices.Systematic review registration:PROSPERO CRD42022302817.

Automated summary

Adolescents' extensive use of screens is associated with mental health issues, as indicated by a systematic review.