A newly released study links increased social media use in children to potential attention deficits, adding to a growing body of research on the impact of digital technology on young minds. The research, following over 8,300 American children ages 10-14, suggests a correlation between time spent on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat and the emergence of ADHD-related symptoms. While rates of ADHD diagnosis have steadily climbed in the U.S. – from 9.5% to 11.3% between 2003-2022 – this study offers a potential contributing factor beyond genetics and socioeconomic status.
Increased Social Media Use Linked to Attention Problems in Children
A new study suggests that increased social media use in children is associated with difficulties in concentration and a potential rise in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses. Understanding the impact of screen time on developing brains is a growing public health concern.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Oregon Health & Science University in the United States followed the developmental trajectories of more than 8,300 American children between the ages of 10 and 14, according to a report in the British newspaper, The Guardian on December 8, 2023. The study is slated for publication in the journal Pediatrics Open Science.
The peer-reviewed research revealed a correlation between social media usage and an increase in symptoms indicative of attention deficits. On average, the children in the study spent 2.3 hours daily watching television or YouTube, 1.4 hours on social media, and 1.5 hours playing video games.
Notably, the study did not find a link between time spent watching TV, YouTube, or playing video games and ADHD-related symptoms. However, social media use was found to be associated with a rise in attention deficit symptoms over time. Researchers also determined that genetic factors or socioeconomic background did not appear to be linked to ADHD in this study.
“Our research suggests that social media, in particular, may be affecting children’s ability to concentrate,” said Tor Kellberg, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute. “Social media involves constant interruptions in the form of messages and notifications. Even the mere thought of whether a message has arrived can act as a mental distraction.”
While not all children who use social media will experience concentration problems, the research team points to a growing trend of younger children accessing these platforms before the minimum age requirements of 13, and subsequently increasing their usage. The study found that social media use among children steadily increased from approximately 30 minutes per day at age 9 to 2.5 hours per day by age 13.
The researchers emphasize the need for greater scrutiny of user age verification and clearer guidelines from major technology companies to curb early and prolonged social media use among children. These findings could inform policy discussions around responsible technology use and child development.
The prevalence of ADHD in American children continues to rise. According to national surveys of children’s health, the rate of ADHD diagnoses increased from 9.5% between 2003 and 2007 to 11.3% between 2020 and 2022.
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