Restricting screen time as a punishment is not always the best practice. (© zinkevych - stock.adobe.com)
In a nutshell
- A three-year study of over 9,000 children found that higher screen time at ages 10-11 was linked to increased manic symptoms two years later, with social media and gaming showing the strongest connections
- Problematic use patterns, rather than total screen time alone, explained much of the relationship – accounting for about 48% of social media’s impact and 58% of gaming’s impact on manic symptoms
- The findings suggest parents and healthcare providers should pay special attention to how tweens use screens, particularly social media and gaming habits, rather than just focusing on limiting total screen time
SAN FRANCISCO — Social media scrolling, video game marathons, and endless YouTube videos might be more than just typical tween behavior — they could be setting the stage for concerning mental health patterns. A new study of over 9,000 American kids found that excessive time on phones, tablets, and computers may be linked to manic symptoms associated with bipolar-spectrum disorders.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco say kids who spent more time on screens — particularly on social media and video games — were more likely to develop the symptoms two years later, such as erratic bursts of energy, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, distractibility, rapid speech, increased goal-directed activity, and reduced sleep.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Toronto, and several other schools tracked participants’ daily time spent on various screen activities starting at ages 10 to 11. Overall, children spent an average of 4.6 hours per day on screens, a figure that increased over time. While previous research has linked screen time to anxiety and depression, this study specifically examined the relationship between different types of screen activities and manic symptoms, which are characteristic of bipolar-spectrum disorders.
The three-year study, published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, found that not all screen time had the same effects. Social media showed the strongest link to manic symptoms, followed by texting, watching videos, and playing video games. Television watching did not show a significant link, and video chatting showed weaker associations than other activities.
While these symptoms were not severe enough to indicate a clinical diagnosis, they may represent early warning signs of difficulties in mood regulation.
Problematic use of social media accounted for 47.7% of the association, while video games explained 58.0%. Sleep disruption also played a role, though to a lesser extent, accounting for 9.0% of the relationship.
The timing of these effects is particularly important because preadolescence is a critical period for brain development. It is also when mood disorders such as bipolar disorder often first emerge. Identifying factors that contribute to changes in mood and energy levels at this stage could help in early intervention efforts.
“Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time for the development of bipolar-spectrum disorders,” says first author, Dr. Jason Nagata, an associate professor of pediatrics at UCSF, in a statement. “Given that earlier onset of symptoms is linked with more severe and chronic outcomes, it’s important to understand what might contribute to the onset or worsening of manic symptoms in teenagers.
“Screen addictions and irregular sleep patterns may exacerbate manic symptoms in susceptible teens,” he adds.
The study suggests that social media and gaming may reinforce compulsive use through reward mechanisms, making it harder for kids to disengage. Platforms are designed to maximize engagement, offering immediate gratification through likes, comments, and achievements, which may contribute to patterns of excessive use.
While these findings may be concerning, they also suggest strategies for parents and healthcare providers. Some schools have begun incorporating lessons on digital literacy and responsible technology use. Healthcare professionals may consider evaluating screen habits when assessing mood-related concerns in adolescents.
“Although screen time can have important benefits such as education and increased socialization, parents should be aware of the potential risks, especially to mental health,” says Nagata. “Families can develop a media plan which could include screen-free times before bedtime.”
Paper Summary
Methodology
Researchers followed 9,243 kids for three years, starting when they were 10 to 11 years old. They tracked how much time kids spent watching TV, watching videos, playing games, texting, video chatting, and using social media. Screen time was calculated as a weighted average of weekday and weekend use. In the second year of the study, researchers assessed problematic screen use and sleep patterns. In the third year, they evaluated changes in manic symptoms.
Results
More screen time in the first year was associated with a small but significant increase in manic symptoms two years later. Social media and texting showed the strongest effects, followed by watching videos and playing games. The way kids used screens was as important as the total time spent—developing problematic relationships with social media and video games accounted for much of the observed changes in mood and energy levels.
Limitations
Since kids reported their own screen time, the estimates may not be entirely accurate. The study also could not distinguish between screen time spent on homework versus entertainment or assess the specific content being viewed. While the findings indicate a link between screen use and manic symptoms, the study does not establish a direct causal relationship, and other factors may contribute to these changes.
Discussion and Takeaways
The findings suggest that parents and healthcare providers should focus on how preteens use their devices, especially when it comes to social media and video games. Developing healthy digital habits and addressing problematic screen use early on may help mitigate potential mood-related issues. Ensuring that children get enough sleep also plays a role in maintaining emotional balance.
Funding and Disclosures
The National Institutes of Health and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation provided funding for this research. The researchers reported no conflicts of interest.
Publication Details
The study, “Screen time and manic symptoms in early adolescents: prospective findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study,” was published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology in February 2025. Jason M. Nagata led the research team, which included scientists from multiple universities.
