Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Staff
Social media is a part of life for teenagers. They use it to connect with friends and share things. Social media is also designed to keep people using it with features like endless scrolling and notifications. Some scientists think this could be bad for teenagers’ brains.
A new study in the JAMA Network Open says that using media too much might make ADHD symptoms worse in teenagers. The study followed over 11,000 teenagers for five years. It found that teenagers who used media too much were more likely to have ADHD symptoms later on. This study adds to the idea that how teenagers use devices can affect their mental health.
The Study
The study was done over five years. It started when the teenagers were 12 years old. The teenagers answered questions about how they used the media. They said things like whether they thought about the media all the time or if they had trouble stopping themselves from using it.
Their parents also answered questions about whether the teenagers had trouble paying attention or controlling their impulses. The scientists compared the answers to see what happened first.
What the Study Found
The study found a pattern. When teenagers used media too much they were more likely to have ADHD symptoms the next year. If a teenager already had ADHD it did not necessarily mean they would start using social media too much.
The strongest link between media use and ADHD symptoms was when the teenagers were between 14 and 16 years old. Scientists think this is because teenagers are still developing their self-control at this age. They are also getting freedom to use social media, which can be very tempting.
Why This Happens
Scientists think that social media can activate the brain’s reward system. This is the part of the brain that makes us feel good when we do something. Social media gives us rewards, like likes and comments. This can make it hard for teenagers to stop using it.
Teenagers with developing brains are more sensitive to these rewards. This can make it hard for them to control their impulses and pay attention.
The study also found that boys and girls might be affected differently. Boys who used media too much were more likely to have ADHD symptoms later on. Girls who already had ADHD symptoms were more likely to start using social media too much.
What This Means
The study is important because it suggests that social media use can affect teenagers’ mental health. Parents and healthcare professionals should pay attention to how teenagers use media. They should also look for signs of ADHD like trouble paying attention or controlling impulses.
The study does not say that social media causes ADHD. It does say that using social media too much might make ADHD symptoms worse. More research is needed to see if reducing media use can help improve attention and mental health in teenagers.
The researchers think that healthcare professionals, parents and educators should work together to monitor media use and mental health in teenagers. This is especially important, during the years of brain development.
Social media is not going away. It is important to understand how it affects teenagers. By doing so we can help them stay healthy and happy.