Does Screen Time Negatively Impact Adolescent Mental Health?

Beyond the Screen

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“In 2025, the typical adolescent spends roughly seven and a half hours each day on a screen,” (Duarte). This amount of energy being consumed by an electronic device is extensive. This does not include sleeping and their other priorities for the day. That amount of time on a screen can have positive and negative effects on adolescents. Adolescence is an essential phase between childhood and adulthood that lays the foundation for healthy development. We all go through adolescence, discovering our interests and desires as we navigate the world. However, today's adolescents face a unique challenge which is the influence of technology, including devices like televisions, video game consoles, tablets, and especially cell phones. These devices have been incorporated into our daily lifestyle from being portable and convenient. Many have considered this the new way of living as it is an essential way of living. This has sparked a debate about whether screen time has more advantages or disadvantages towards adolescents’ mental health. 

Perspective 1: The Advantages of Screen Time on Adolescent Mental Health

Screen time can offer various benefits to adolescents' mental health, including enhanced peer connection, a broader understanding of the world, and opportunities for entertainment and relaxation. These benefits and countless more come from Sean Hill in his article, “Screen Time: Understanding Generation Z.” This article offers insights and explains his perspective on generation Z since he is a part of Generation X. He believes people underestimate the benefits for adolescents. He argues that connection and communication with adolescents are now more advanced and efficient. For instance, Communication has evolved from face-to-face interactions and written letters to digital methods, allowing instant contact with family, friends, work, and school. This shift has made reaching others more convenient. Not to mention how, digital communication extends globally through social media, offering accessible entertainment to anyone with a device. Though adolescence have more experience and knowledge on how to navigate social media to their benefit. Hill reports, “Gen Z experiences the world visually,” (…) “In fact, 93 percent of Gen Z visits YouTube at least once a week, and 54 percent visits several times a day” From this we can note how Gen Z is more about visually understanding and spends significant amount of time on visual platforms. Visual platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X provide opportunities to learn new skills, get informed about society, explore different cultures, and find communities of interest. The accessibility of social media makes knowledge more accessible than traditional media. Additionally, social media provides entertainment and relaxation through various visual platforms. Influencers on these platforms expose adolescents to new ideas and perspectives, further improving their experiences. These benefits touch on different facets of adolescent mental health and can positively influence their development into young adults.

Perspective 2: The Disadvantages of Screen Time on Adolescent Mental Health

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Whether screen time's advantages outweigh its disadvantages for adolescents is debatable. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia believes screen time has more harmful effects due to its association with social media platforms, which can increase social isolation, depression, and cyberbullying. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia mentions how there are three types of screen time such as passive, educational and interactive screen time. Interactive screen time can lead to negative outcomes like cyberbullying. For instance, according to the American Psychological Association, they have found, “Increased screen time is often linked to emotional and behavioral issues found in children, who then may use their screens as a coping mechanism.” This evidence highlights, how screen time is the root of children’s mental health and how it can have negative outcomes that are a continuous cycle since they use screen time as a coping mechanism. As they transition into teenagers, they are developing an unhealthy stress response of using screen time as a distraction, rather than breaking the cycle to improve
their overall mental health. This not only demonstrates the harmful effects of screen time but also the start of a never-ending cycle that worsens as children become adolescents.

Similarities and Differences 

There are multiple similarities and differences between Hill’s and Lewis’s perspective when it comes to adolescents’ mental health and the involvement of screen time. One similarity between the two is the need for moderation. Hill discusses, “Gen Z has 'grown up in a world where their options are limitless, but their time is not,” (8). Hill highlights that Gen Z consumes so much information that they don't focus on the quality or intake it in moderation. Lewis shares the same perspective on this matter. He states, “Most screen time activities – when done in moderation – are not associated with declines in well-being.” Lewis and Hill agree that screen time, when used in moderation, is unlikely to cause harm. This is because moderate screen time can be used in a positive way and can even be relaxing. Another similarity between Lewis and Hill is not only does moderation with screen time need to be moderated but also setting limits on screen time. Lewis argues, “Setting healthy limits on screen time while children are still young can have long-term benefits to youth and their families.” As a result, these boundaries being set early on will teach their children and soon teens how to self-regulate. Hill highlights the need for screen time limits, emphasizing the potential negative impacts of technology and social media on Gen Z's mental health. These limits will also benefit Gen Alpha, who have grown up with technology and are now entering adolescence, helping them manage their screen time. They will be able to develop responsibilities and learn how to handle the internet responsibly. 

    Despite Hill and Lewis having similar perspectives when it comes to screen time, there are also some key differences that they have. One key difference is Lewis is giving their audience more advice on how to approach screen time with your adolescent Whereas, Hill is giving an analysis on Gen Z’s relationship with technology and to inform you. Dr. Lewis recommends, “Limiting screen time as much as possible for children and teens.” As opposed to Hill explains, “After all, this is a generation that wants empowerment. If they do it themselves, it will express one of their inalienable values: authenticity,” (4). This shows how Hill understands Gen Z’s desire to be independent and use technology to express themselves with less restrictions. While Lewis, is advising parents to set those boundaries in place for their adolescent. Overall, Lewis and Hill have some key similarities and differences towards screen time and adolescents’ mental health, it is apparent how they both want the best for that adolescent and to help them progress into capable young adults. 

Strengths and Weaknesses

    Both perspectives have some strengths and weaknesses that are affecting standpoints. In the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia article, “Is Screen Time Making our Kids Unhappy?” the strengths are easily noticeable. One strength is that they offer practical and relevant advice for families when setting healthy limits for screen time. The author, Lewis, is a licensed Psychologist which allows for her to give credible and reliable advice. She offers advice on screen time but lacks specific guidelines, making it difficult to implement and therefore less effective. Another strength she has is explaining how not all screen time is the same as there are different types of screen times such as the passive, interactive, and educational. On the other hand, she does lack information on how there are different screen times, but they could lead to screen addiction in adolescence. While also not mentioning how you can identify an adolescent is experiencing screen time addiction.

Just like Dr. Lewis, Hill’s article has some strengths and weaknesses. Some strengths include him providing a general understanding on how Gen Z adolescents. He shares their values, habits, and preferences when it comes to technology. For example, according to John Hill, adolescents "like a mix of communication techniques" and "prefer privacy" (Hill, 5). This allows for the audience to gain a better understanding on how the current adolescent generation functions and their mindset. Hill uses statistics from multiple sources to support his claims about Gen Z, enhancing his article's credibility compared to a single source perspective like Lewis. These examples help persuade the audience. However, like any article, there are still some weaknesses. Hill’s weaknesses include having generalizations. Hill states, “Senior Content Writer for Capture Higher Ed, and I am a tried-and-true member of Generation X,” (1). He is not an adolescent in today’s society, and he risks generalizing about Gen Z. This can make some of his points inaccurate as it may not apply to all the individuals who are adolescent Gen Z’s. In addition to having generalization on Gen Z, his statistics are dated. Hill's statistics, ranging from 2016-2020, may not accurately reflect today's adolescents due to the rapid evolution of technology and trends. Ultimately, both articles offer valuable insights, but their individual strengths and weaknesses highlight the complexities of understanding screen time's impact on adolescents.

Compromise

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Up to this point, we have seen that both perspectives on how screen time affects adolescents’ mental health have yet to provide an in depth and useful solution. Balancing the advantages and disadvantages of screen time is crucial, requiring an approach that acknowledges both potential benefits and risks. While Dr. Lewis focuses on informing parents about screen time recommendations, Hill provides a broader overview of technology and adolescent understanding. They both agree that adolescents need a balance of screen time to fully express themselves while not being controlled by technology. 

After reviewing and taking into account each perspective, I believe that promoting offline activities. By promoting offline activities, it will help encourage adolescents to engage in sports, hobbies, and spending more time with family and friends. These activities will help the adolescent to balance screen time in a healthy manner while also boosting their overall well-being. This will create and instill a healthy habit for the adolescent to break out of the continuous cycle that we know for teens to revert back to using a screen as their coping mechanism. I believe that this will be an effective and beneficial solution or the adolescent and their mental health.  Therefore, grasping the nuances of screen time's impact on adolescent mental health will allow for you to implement impactful strategies that will enhance their well-being as they navigate today's digital world.

Works Cited

Duarte, Fabio. “Average Screen Time for Teens (2025).” Exploding Topics, Exploding Topics, 24 Apr. 2025, explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-for-teens.

https://v.fastcdn.co/u/16cf91bb/33812841-0-Screen-Time---Unders.pdf 

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. “Is Screen Time Making Our Kids Unhappy? | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.” Chop.edu, 22 Feb. 2018, www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/screen-time-making-our-kids-unhappy.

Wallis, Paul. “Op-Ed: Screen Time Affects Kids’ Mental Health — What about Everything Else?” Digital Journal, 13 Oct. 2024, www.digitaljournal.com/tech-science/op-ed-screen-time-affects-kids-mental-health-what-about-everything-else/article. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.