Experts from the UK’s prestigious University of Manchester published findings that challenge long-held public beliefs. According to a large-scale scientific study, spending time on social media or getting hooked on video games does not cause depression or anxiety in teenagers. Covering more than 25,000 school students, the project became one of the largest studies in the field.
Longitudinal method: results of three years of careful observation
Researchers examined the lifestyles of adolescents aged 12 to 15 over three consecutive years using a longitudinal method. This approach made it possible to track changes in the same teenager’s personal development and mental state over time, without comparing different children to one another.
It turned out that when a teenager starts spending more time than usual on social media, it does not lead to a decline in mental health. Rigorous analyses showed there is no direct link between digital technology use and depression.
Active vs. passive use: no difference was found
A widely accepted theory has been that active engagement on social media (posting photos, chatting) is more beneficial than simply scrolling through a feed. However, Manchester researchers rejected this idea as well:
- Conclusion: Regardless of how social media is used, it does not lead to long-term mental health problems.
- Gender differences: For girls, video games and social media compete for leisure time—spending more time on one naturally reduces the other.
Why banning smartphones doesn’t help
Scientists note that if boys’ mental well-being worsens, their interest in video games actually decreases. In other words, technology is not the cause of the problem; changes in mental state shape attitudes toward gaming.
Although unpleasant content may trigger short-term negative mood, no evidence was found that limiting screen time or banning phones has a positive long-term effect on teenagers’ mental health. So, blaming smartphones alone turned out to be misguided.
Do you think increasing face-to-face communication with children is more effective than restricting their smartphone use?
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