Are parents right to worry that their child’s screen time qualifies as addiction? In reality, there is no official condition by the name of internet or phone addiction. Problematic internet use – first described in 1995 and compared to pathological gambling – exists, however it is not an official diagnosis. It is more aligned with compulsive behaviors and impulse control disorders. Still, in everyday language, we often use terms like “internet addict” or “phone addict.” By calling it an addiction, we’re mostly expressing concern that too much screen time is unhealthy and that we feel powerless to take control of it.

Let’s Not Pathologize Everything

The latest diagnostic systems do define online gaming disorder (Internet Related Gaming Disorder - IGD) as something that negatively affects mental health. A key criterion is that this disorder must cause some kind of functional impairment in daily life. This means the person loses control over their behaviour during gaming, and gaming takes priority over other important daily activities like studying, working, dressing up, or maintaining relationships etc.

It is important to note that the amount of time spent playing games in itself is not a diagnostic criterion. If a child has meaningful, offline social connections, performs well at school, and perhaps even plays sports, we cannot talk about addiction. Let’s be careful with this term and avoid pathologizing what is otherwise normal adolescent behavior, even if the teenager resists, protests, or gets angry when screen time is limited.

It can be misleading to judge whether teenagers spend “too much” time online, since many of their activities are age-appropriate and mirror what parents once did offline: chatting with friends, exploring personal interests, shopping, listening to music, doing homework, watching movies, and gaming. These are all parts of modern, youth culture and maintaining peer relationships with the participation in them.

Problematic Internet Use and Mental Health

If a child is so focused on video games that it significantly impacts their daily life, it is often a symptom of another mental health problem, such as social anxiety, ADHD, learning disorders, or mood problems. Children who struggle in daily life, whether due to academic difficulties or difficulties regarding forming friendships often find success and belonging in online games, since these offer a predictable and safe environment. It is also important to know that games and apps are specifically designed to capture children’s attention using built-in reward systems, which can even challenge adult self-control. Think of the endless scrolling for new content on social media. It is significantly hard to stop. Our brains are wired to seek and enjoy newer, stimulating things, furthermore, it is easier to choose this than more demanding cognitive tasks, even if those are more rewarding in the long run. Constant superficial engagement with stimuli can undermine our ability to do deeper, slower activities like reading. The good news is that we only lose the opportunity, not the capacity, for deep focus. With awareness and good habits, this can be reclaimed.

Consequences of Problematic Internet Use

Studies show that excessive gaming – spending two-thirds or more of free time on it – is linked with negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and increased substance use.

The same goes for social media, especially for girls, who are more likely to make negative comparisons with their peers. While there is no proven causal link between platforms like Instagram or TikTok and depression, the potential negative effects on teenagers and young adults deserve scrutiny. One reason these effects seem more than coincidental is that rising depression levels coincide with increased smartphone use. A 2017 study led by Jean Twenge involving over half a million American students in 8th to 12th grade found a 33% rise in high-level depressive symptoms between 2010 and 2015. During the same period, suicide rates among girls in this age group rose by 65%! One prominent theory suggests that comparing themselves to the “perfect” lives of others - who appear prettier, slimmer, more popular, or wealthier - leads to a gradual erosion of self-esteem. Notably, the link with depression was not observed in girls who, despite heavy social media use, maintained strong personal social interactions.

Smartphones were introduced in 2007, and by 2015, 92% of teenagers and young adults owned one. During the same period, the number of students in higher education seeking help for depression and anxiety surged – and continued rising post-pandemic.

Some experts view this as evidence that online relationships are emotionally less fulfilling, leading to feelings of social isolation among youth. However, some teens may fail to build offline connections because they are geographically isolated or don’t feel accepted at school or in their community. For them, online relationships can be lifesaving.

Young people spend a lot of time crafting and posting what they think the world sees as the “perfect life.” Simply spending so much time on this robs them of activities that could recharge them or build confidence – like physical activity or other rewarding experiences. The dopamine hit from likes and attention is short-lived and highly addictive.

Attention Issues and Multitasking

A major reason for attention problems among youth is their belief – and pride – in being able to multitask: doing homework while listening to music, checking social media, texting, and watching TV in the background. However, It is been proven that multitasking isn’t truly possible – it undermines cognitive performance and learning efficiency. In reality, they rapidly switch between tasks, but the cost is poor focus, longer time needed for actual studying, and reduced free time.

Research suggests that 60% of teens use their phones during the last hour before sleep and sleep an hour less on average than those who don’t. The blue light from screens disrupts sleep, and social media browsing is neither restful nor sleep-inducing – it can even be stressful.

Among teens, one of the most common causes of mood issues is sleep deprivation, which social media usage can exacerbate.

How to Reduce the Negative Effects of Social Media

Although there is no conclusive evidence that social media directly causes depression, we see many warning signs of negative effects. The key is to maintain a balance between the online and offline worlds. Parents are responsible for deciding when children can use smart devices, setting boundaries, and showing interest in their child’s online life. Naturally, the digital world eventually becomes a private space for youth, but parents should still ensure it remains positive and healthy. Parents also need to pay attention to their child’s mood and behavior and seek help early if problems don’t resolve.

Balance – Ensure children engage in offline social interaction and have time for activities that build identity and self-confidence.

Turn off notifications – App developers use notifications to keep users engaged. Don’t let them interrupt your child’s attention.

Teenage girls at risk – Pay attention to girls going through tough times or experiencing above-average stress, as social media can amplify their low self-esteem.

Mindful use – Encourage teens to be honest with themselves about how social media affects their emotions, and to cut ties with interactions that increase stress or unhappiness.

Lead by example – Organize quality family time, including phone-free dinners and activities.

Sleep hygiene – Set rules about no smartphone use in the bedroom after a certain time or during the night.

Tárnok Zsanett – Clinical and Neuropsychologist