Children and teenagers who spend more time on digital media are more likely to experience mental health, behavioural and academic difficulties later on, according to a major international review published in JAMA Pediatrics.
The review, led by James Cook University Senior Research Fellow Dr Sam Teague, analysed 153 studies following children and adolescents aged between 2 and 19 years, for up to two decades.
Results showed that higher levels of media use were consistently linked to more depressive symptoms and behavioural problems, higher risk of substance use and self-harm, and poorer school performance.
Social media emerged as the most consistent area of concern.
"Young people who used social media more frequently were more likely to report depression symptoms, behavioural difficulties, substance use, self-injury and poorer academic performance later on," Dr Teague said.
"The strongest pattern we saw was between social media use and later problematic media use, suggesting that early patterns of engagement may become more entrenched and difficult to manage over time."
Gaming showed a different pattern. It was associated with greater levels of aggression and conduct problems – consistent with longstanding concerns about violent content – but was also modestly linked to stronger attention and executive functioning skills, possibly reflecting the cognitive demands of some games.
The study also found that the trends were strongest in early adolescence, and most pronounced in more recent studies over the last 12 years. This may reflect increasingly immersive, algorithm-driven platforms that engage young teenagers and promote more intense patterns of use.
Dr Teague said the findings do not establish that digital media causes these outcomes.
"But the consistency of results across a large body of long-term studies raises important public health concerns, when patterns appear repeatedly across different countries, age groups, and study designs, we need to take that seriously," she said.
Senior author Professor Delyse Hutchinson, a clinical psychologist at Deakin University's Lifespan Institute, said the findings highlight the need to shift the focus from just the amount of screen time use, to improving the quality and safety of young people's digital environments.
"This is not just about individual families managing devices," Professor Hutchinson said. "Digital platforms are intentionally designed to maximise engagement. Governments set regulatory standards and technology companies determine the architecture of these environments."
"If we are seeing consistent links between heavier use and poorer developmental outcomes, then responsibility must also sit with those designing and governing these systems."
She said priorities should include platforms that are age-appropriate by design, reducing persuasive or addictive features, stronger privacy protections for children, and clearer accountability mechanisms for platform operators.
"Digital technology brings real benefits, but we need systems that prioritise children's wellbeing."
Link to paper here – live after embargo lifts.
Parents concerned about their child's wellbeing are encouraged to keep communication open about online activity, set consistent boundaries and prioritise sleep and offline activities. Parents or young people experiencing distress can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or access support through headspace.
