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Longitudinal U.S. Study Links Social Media Use to Rising Inattention in Children

Following 8,324 children for four years, researchers observed a small, platform‑specific link not seen for TV or games.

Researchers have found a significant link between screen time and diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
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Overview

  • Children who spent more time on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, X or Messenger showed a gradual increase in inattention symptoms from about ages 9 to 14.
  • Average daily social‑media use in the cohort grew from roughly 30 minutes at age nine to about 2.5 hours by age 13 despite common minimum‑age rules of 13.
  • The association was unchanged after accounting for socioeconomic background and genetic ADHD risk, and baseline inattention did not predict later social‑media use.
  • No increase in hyperactive or impulsive behavior was detected, and similar links were not found for television viewing or video gaming.
  • Researchers caution the individual effect is small but may matter at population scale, recommend discussions on age verification and platform design, and plan follow‑up beyond age 14; the study appears in Pediatrics Open Science.