A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, and published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology has shed light on a growing concern in youth mental health: excessive screen time may be linked to manic symptoms in pre-teens.
The study analyzed data from 9,243 children aged 10 to 11 across the U.S., tracking their daily screen use, including social media, texting, video watching, and gaming. Researchers discovered a significant association between high screen exposure and behaviors commonly seen in bipolar-spectrum disorders. These behaviors included:
- Increased self-importance and grandiosity – excessive confidence or an inflated sense of ability.
- Reduced need for sleep – staying up late or struggling to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
- Heightened distractibility – trouble focusing on tasks without frequent digital engagement.
- Rapid or pressured speech – difficulty regulating conversation speed or intensity.
- Impulsivity and risk-taking – acting on urges without considering the consequences.
While screens have become an integral part of daily life, the study’s findings highlight the need for balance. The overstimulation caused by prolonged digital engagement may be affecting developing brains in ways that mimic manic symptoms, making it crucial for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to address this emerging issue.
Why This Matters
The link between excessive screen time and mental health concerns isn’t new, but this study provides more specific evidence of its potential neurological effects on pre-teens. Young minds are still developing crucial cognitive and emotional regulation skills. When their time is dominated by screen-based activities—often at the expense of physical movement, in-person socialization, and adequate sleep—this can disrupt healthy brain function.
This research also aligns with previous studies that connect heavy digital use with increased anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation in children and adolescents. The overstimulation of constant notifications, instant gratification loops (such as endless social media scrolling or gaming rewards), and the blue light emitted from screens may be contributing to neurological patterns similar to those seen in mood disorders.
What Can Be Done?
Mental health experts stress the importance of digital wellness—the practice of using technology in a way that enhances, rather than disrupts, mental well-being. Some key recommendations include:
1. Setting Screen Time Limits
Encourage structured screen use, such as designated tech-free hours (especially before bedtime), limiting passive scrolling, and promoting balanced activities.
2. Encouraging Offline Engagement
Children benefit from real-world interactions, creative activities, and outdoor play. Encouraging hobbies like drawing, music, reading, or sports can provide natural brain stimulation without digital overload.
3. Promoting Healthy Sleep Habits
Since excessive screen use—especially before bed—has been shown to disrupt sleep, it’s vital to establish a tech-free wind-down routine at night. This includes reducing blue light exposure at least an hour before bedtime.
4. Educating Kids on Responsible Tech Use
Helping children understand how digital consumption affects their brains can empower them to make healthier choices. Teaching media literacy, self-regulation, and mindful social media use is key.
5. Modeling Balanced Digital Habits
Kids mirror adult behavior. Parents and caregivers should also practice mindful screen habits, such as reducing phone use at the dinner table, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and engaging in non-digital activities.
You can download our free guide to help you balance screen time at home.
The Future of Digital Wellness
In response to these concerns, initiatives like Verizon's "digital wellness summit" are emerging, bringing together tech leaders, educators, and mental health professionals to explore solutions. The conversation is shifting toward technology use with intention, rather than avoidance or restriction alone.
As the scientific community continues to investigate the effects of digital consumption on young minds, this study serves as a reminder that technology, while valuable, must be used in a way that supports—not hinders—mental well-being. Balancing screen time with real-world experiences is essential for the cognitive and emotional health of today’s youth.
By fostering healthier habits now, we can help ensure that children develop strong mental resilience, emotional regulation, and the ability to engage with technology in a positive, sustainable way.
For more support you can purchase our Screen Off - Creativity On handbook.
https://nypost.com/2025/03/08/tech/excessive-phone-and-screen-use-tied-to-manic-symptoms-in-pre-teens-study/?utm_source=chatgpt.com