Problematic Smartphone Use as Hidden Driver of Anxiety and Depression in Teens – Study
Researchers at King’s College London found that teens with problematic smartphone use (PSU) were twice as likely to have anxiety and nearly three times more likely to suffer from depression compared to those without PSU. The study aimed to assess the association between PSU and anxiety, highlighting that depression and anxiety have become more common in adolescents over the last decade as smartphone usage has increased.
Problematic smartphone use, or PSU, refers to behaviors similar to addiction, such as an inability to limit phone time, feeling panicky when the phone is out of reach, and using the phone during other activities. Older teens also reported higher rates of insomnia. Many teens expressed a desire to cut down on phone use and sought help to do so. Effective strategies included putting the phone in silent mode, disabling notifications, and placing the phone in another room at bedtime.
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The study used a prospective mixed-methods cohort design, enrolling students aged 13–16 from two schools to track their smartphone use, mood, and sleep over four weeks via a semi-structured questionnaire. The primary outcome measured was anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, GAD-7), with PSU as the exposure. Linear regression was used to assess changes in anxiety. Thematic analysis of free-text responses was also conducted. The sample included 69 participants, with 44.4% of those with PSU exhibiting moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, compared to 26.4% of those without PSU. There was a linear association between PSU and increased anxiety symptoms.
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Participants reported both positive and negative effects of smartphones on relationships, school performance, productivity, and mood, with a common desire to reduce phone usage. Increased anxiety, depression, and insomnia were observed as PSU scores rose over time. It is thus important to develop and evaluate interventions for those seeking mental health support.
