Overview
- Following 8,324 children from ages 9–10 to 14, the peer‑reviewed study in Pediatrics Open Science found heavier social media use associated with progressively higher inattention symptoms.
- The association persisted after accounting for socioeconomic background and genetic risk for ADHD, strengthening evidence for a use‑to‑symptom pathway.
- Pre‑existing inattentiveness did not predict greater social media use, and the study detected no increase in hyperactive or impulsive behavior.
- Average daily social media time rose from about 30 minutes at age 9 to roughly 2.5 hours at age 13 despite platforms’ stated minimum age of 13.
- Authors describe the concentration effect as small for individuals but potentially meaningful at a population level and plan to track the cohort beyond age 14.