In an era where smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles are as common as crayons in a child’s backpack, parents are increasingly concerned about the impact of screen time on their children’s well-being. A groundbreaking study published on June 18, 2025, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has shifted the conversation from the quantity of screen time to the quality of engagement, revealing that it’s not how long kids are glued to their devices but whether their use shows signs of addiction that matters most. This fresh perspective is prompting families, educators, and policymakers to rethink how we manage children’s digital habits to foster healthier, more balanced lives.
A New Lens on Screen Time
For years, parents have been bombarded with warnings about limiting screen time, with guidelines suggesting no screens for children under 18 months (except for video chatting) and no more than one hour per day for kids aged 2 to 5, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Yet, the reality is starkly different. A 2025 report from Common Sense Media reveals that American teens average 7 hours and 22 minutes of screen time daily, while children aged 8 to 12 clock in at 4 hours and 44 minutes. These numbers have fueled parental anxiety, with many fearing that excessive screen use is a direct path to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or aggression.
However, the JAMA study, led by Dr. Yunyu Xiao, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, challenges this assumption. The research, part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, followed thousands of children over several years, tracking both their screen time and signs of addictive behavior. Surprisingly, the study found no significant link between the total hours spent on social media, mobile phones, or video games and increased mental health problems, such as internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression) or externalizing behaviors (rule-breaking, aggression). Instead, the critical factor was whether children exhibited compulsive use—defined as excessive engagement that disrupts schoolwork, home responsibilities, or social interactions, coupled with an inability to stop despite negative consequences.
The Addiction Factor: What It Looks Like
Dr. Xiao’s team used standardized questionnaires to assess addiction, asking teens to respond to statements like, “I spend a lot of time thinking about social media apps or planning to use them,” or “I feel stressed or upset if I can’t use my phone.” The findings were striking: nearly 60% of teens showed low, stable levels of addictive social media use over time, but 47.5% of 11- to 12-year-olds admitted to losing track of time on their phones, and 25% used social media to escape personal problems. For video games, over 40% of youths displayed a high addictive-use trajectory, with boys more likely to show compulsive gaming behaviors and girls more prone to problematic social media use.
These addictive patterns were associated with serious outcomes. The study found that teens with high or increasing addiction to mobile phones or social media faced a two- to threefold higher risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. By year four of the study, 18% of participants reported suicidal ideation, and 5% had engaged in suicidal behaviors, such as making plans or attempts. Video game addiction was similarly linked to elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and aggression, underscoring the need to address compulsive use rather than fixating solely on screen time limits.
A Call for Balanced Solutions
The study’s findings are a wake-up call for parents and educators to shift their focus from arbitrary time restrictions to fostering healthy digital habits. “It’s not about banning screens but about teaching kids to use them mindfully,” says Dr. Melissa Greenberg, a clinical psychologist at Princeton Psychotherapy Center. She recommends setting clear boundaries, such as screen-free zones during meals or before bedtime, to promote family connection and better sleep hygiene. The World Health Organization echoes this, noting that problematic social media use, which rose from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022 among adolescents, is linked to reduced sleep and poorer academic performance.
Parents can take proactive steps to guide their children toward balance. Dr. Greenberg suggests modeling healthy device use—putting phones away during family time and showing kids how to prioritize in-person interactions. “Kids learn from what they see,” she explains. “If you’re scrolling during dinner, they’ll think it’s normal.” She also advocates for planned screen-free activities, like sports, board games, or outdoor adventures, to encourage teens to engage with the world beyond their screens. A 2024 initiative by The Anxious Generation, inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s book, challenged young people to commit to screen-free summer Fridays, with many reporting improved mood and social connections.
Gender and Social Dynamics
The JAMA study highlighted notable gender differences in screen addiction. Girls were more likely to develop compulsive social media habits, with 13% showing problematic use compared to 9% of boys, according to a 2024 WHO report. This aligns with social pressures: 70% of teens aged 13 to 17 reported feeling excluded or left out on social media, and 43% felt bad about themselves if their posts received few likes, per a 2025 Statista survey. Boys, meanwhile, were more susceptible to video game addiction, often driven by immersive game designs that reward prolonged play.
These patterns reflect broader social dynamics. Social media platforms, with their endless feeds and dopamine-driven notifications, can trap girls in cycles of comparison and validation-seeking. For boys, competitive gaming environments can foster obsession, particularly when games are designed to keep players engaged through rewards and leaderboards. Dr. Xiao notes that external factors, like bullying or adverse childhood experiences, can exacerbate addictive tendencies, as some kids turn to screens for comfort but end up unable to disengage.
Policy and Community Responses
The study’s implications extend beyond the home. Schools and policymakers are being urged to integrate digital literacy into curricula, teaching students critical thinking and responsible online behavior. The WHO Regional Office for Europe, in its 2024 report, called for evidence-based programs to promote healthy gaming and social media habits, alongside accessible mental health services for teens struggling with digital addiction. Some schools have already taken bold steps: in 2023, several U.S. districts banned smartphones during school hours, reporting improved student focus and reduced disciplinary issues.
Community initiatives are also gaining traction. In 2025, organizations like Common Sense Media launched campaigns to help families create “media plans” that set clear expectations for device use. These plans encourage collaborative rule-setting with kids, fostering a sense of ownership rather than top-down restrictions. For example, a family might agree that phones are off-limits during homework or that gaming is allowed only after chores are completed. Such strategies have been shown to reduce conflict and improve compliance, according to a 2023 study in Pediatrics.
The Bigger Picture: A Digital Future
As screens become ever more integrated into daily life, the challenge is to harness their benefits—connectivity, learning, entertainment—while mitigating their risks. The JAMA study underscores that blanket restrictions on screen time miss the mark; instead, we need nuanced approaches that address compulsive use and its underlying causes. For parents, this means open conversations about digital well-being, setting boundaries that evolve with a child’s age, and staying vigilant for signs of addiction, such as neglecting responsibilities or withdrawing from social activities.
For society, it’s a call to rethink how we design and regulate technology. Critics argue that social media and gaming companies exploit psychological vulnerabilities, with algorithms engineered to maximize engagement. A 2025 report from MIT Technology Review highlighted concerns about AI-driven platforms that prioritize user retention over well-being, prompting calls for stricter regulations on addictive design features.
Looking Ahead
As we navigate this digital frontier, the message is clear: screens are not the enemy, but unchecked addiction can be. By focusing on mindful use, fostering open dialogue, and creating environments that prioritize balance, we can help kids thrive in a world where technology is omnipresent. Parents, educators, and policymakers have a shared responsibility to equip the next generation with the tools to navigate this landscape—not by demonizing devices but by empowering kids to use them wisely.
For families seeking support, resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offer immediate help for teens struggling with mental health issues, while organizations like the Child Mind Institute provide practical guides for managing screen use. As Dr. Xiao puts it, “It’s about helping kids find joy in the real world, not just the virtual one.” With the right strategies, we can ensure that screens enhance, rather than eclipse, the vibrant lives of our children.
