Adolescent Smartphone Use and Mental Health: Findings from a Large-Scale South Korean Study
Recent observations suggest that heavy daily smartphone use during adolescence may be linked with a higher risk of mental health concerns, especially when usage exceeds several hours per day. The findings appeared in a well-regarded scientific journal and are based on data collected from a large group of teenagers in South Korea.
In the study, more than 50,000 young people participated. Data collection occurred in two waves, spanning 2017 and 2020, with participants reporting the approximate number of hours they spent on their devices each day. The researchers analyzed patterns of use and their potential associations with stress, mood, and other health indicators.
During the 2017 survey, about two-thirds of respondents reported smartphone use of more than two hours per day. By 2020, this share had grown to more than eight in ten. Those who engaged with smartphones for more than four hours daily exhibited higher stress levels, a greater incidence of suicidal thoughts, and increased substance use in comparison with peers who used devices less. Conversely, a subset of adolescents who used smartphones for one to two hours daily showed fewer mental health problems than those who abstained completely from smartphone use. These patterns suggest a nuanced relationship between device use and well-being, rather than a simple cause-and-effect scenario.
The authors emphasize that the study cannot establish a direct causal link between smartphone use and negative health outcomes. Still, the results align with a growing body of research indicating that very high daily screen time may correlate with certain adverse outcomes in young people, while moderate use could be associated with neutral or even beneficial effects on physical and mental health for some individuals.
Across the broader literature, researchers have noted that smartphone use among youth has risen in recent years and may be connected to various health concerns, including sleep disruption, vision issues, and musculoskeletal discomfort. At the same time, there is accumulating evidence that limited, daily smartphone engagement can be linked with better mood and physical well-being for some adolescents, underscoring the importance of balanced digital habits and mindful technology use (evidence cited from the cited study and related literature).
In the broader context, researchers continue to explore how digital behaviors relate to long-term health outcomes. The current findings contribute to an ongoing dialogue about how families, schools, and health professionals can support healthy technology use while acknowledging that different youths may respond differently to the same patterns of device engagement (cite: PLOS ONE study).