Not all screen time is created equal: associations with mental health vary by activity and gender
225 Citations•2020•
Jean M. Twenge, Eric Farley
Hours spent on social media and Internet use among adolescent girls are the most strongly associated with compromised mental health, and practitioners should be aware that some types of screen time are more likely to be linked to mental health issues than others.
Abstract
Thus, not all screen time is created equal; social media and Internet use among adolescent girls are the most strongly associated with compromised mental health. Future research should examine different screen media activities and boys and girls separately where possible. Practitioners should be aware that some types of screen time are more likely to be linked to mental health issues than others.