This Is the Worst Type of Screen Time for Your Kid’s Attention Span

Children who spend more time on social media are more likely to develop symptoms consistent with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than peers whose screen time is focused on television or video games, according to new research.

The study tracked 8,324 children over four years, examining how their digital media use—split among TV and YouTube, video games, and social media—related to changes in attention and behavior. In prepublication findings released in Pediatrics Open Science, researchers reported that children with above-average social media use showed a significantly greater increase in inattention symptoms. This pattern did not appear among children who primarily watched TV or played video games.

On average, 9-year-olds in the study spent about 30 minutes a day on social media. That figure steadily rose, reaching roughly 2.5 hours per day by age 13—despite platform guidelines intended to keep younger children off social media. The authors noted that this early and increasing use highlights the need for stronger age-verification measures and clearer standards for technology companies. They also urged policymakers to reinforce regulations that limit access for younger users and ensure platforms are age-appropriate to support healthy development.

The researchers emphasized that social media itself appears to be the key factor. Torkel Klingberg, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Karolinska Institutet and a study coauthor, explained that social platforms introduce constant distractions through notifications and messages. Even anticipating a notification can disrupt focus, he said, which may help explain the link to attention difficulties.

In contrast, the study found that time spent playing video games or watching TV was associated with a decrease in hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms over time. The authors suggested this may be because video games often require sustained attention, a demand that has been linked in other research to improvements in certain cognitive skills.

Looking ahead, the team plans to continue following the participants beyond age 14 to determine whether the rise in ADHD-related symptoms persists. ADHD, short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, can involve challenges with attention, increased hyperactivity and impulsivity, or a combination of both.

Klingberg added that heavier social media use could help explain part of the broader increase in ADHD diagnoses, even though the condition is also associated with hyperactivity—an aspect that did not increase in this study.

Samson Nivins, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institutet, said the findings are intended to help parents and policymakers make more informed decisions about healthy digital habits that support children’s cognitive development.