Overview
- The peer-reviewed analysis in Pediatrics Open Science, led by Karolinska Institutet and Oregon Health & Science University, tracked 8,324 ABCD cohort children from about ages 9–10 to 14.
- Average daily social media use rose from roughly 30 minutes at age nine to about 2.5 hours by 13 despite many platforms setting a minimum age of 13.
- Greater time on social platforms was linked to gradual increases in parent-rated inattention symptoms, with no comparable association for television/video viewing or video games.
- Models found no evidence of reverse causation, and hyperactive or impulsive behaviors did not rise alongside social media use.
- Authors say individual effects are small but could matter at population scale and plan to follow the cohort beyond age 14 to test persistence.