The Relationship Between Screen Use And Anxiety In Adolescents
The Relationship Between Screen Use And Anxiety In Adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2026.1989Keywords:
adolescents, Anxiety, Screen useAbstract
In recent decades, the use of digital devices and social media has become central to adolescents’ daily lives, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. This study presents a systematic review of recent literature to understand the relationship between screen time and anxiety symptoms in youth. Twenty-six systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2018 and 2025 were analyzed, identified via PubMed using Boolean operators combining descriptors related to anxiety, screen use, and digital media. Findings indicate that both the amount and pattern of use influence the risk of anxiety symptoms, with passive digital activities, exposure to negative content, and use close to bedtime associated with higher vulnerability. Individual factors, such as gender and prior anxiety history, and contextual factors, such as social support and parental supervision, modulate this relationship. Furthermore, interactive and balanced screen use can have neutral or even positive effects, promoting a sense of belonging and social support. This study highlights the complexity of the relationship between technology and mental health, highlighting the need for preventive interventions, digital literacy, and future research addressing clinical groups and contexts of higher psychological vulnerability.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aline Batista Brighenti dos Santos (Autor)
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