Overview

• Adolescents who use smartphones for more than 4 hours per day are at higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes, including stress, suicidal thoughts, and substance use, according to a study analyzing data from over 50,000 South Korean adolescents.
• However, the study also found that adolescents who used their phones for 1-2 hours per day had fewer problems than those who did not use a smartphone at all, suggesting that moderate usage may have benefits.
• Between 2017 and 2020, the percentage of adolescents using a smartphone for more than 2 hours per day increased from 64.3% to 85.7%.
• The study does not confirm a causal relationship between smartphone use and adverse health outcomes, and the authors note that other factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status could also affect health outcomes.
• Despite these findings, some experts argue that the concept of 'screen time' is too broad and that research should focus more on the specific activities adolescents are engaging in on their smartphones.