Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 8: Children who spend more than 30 minutes a day on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat may experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate, according to a new study tracking over 8,000 children aged 10 to 14.
The research, conducted by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Oregon Health & Science University in the US, examined the relationship between screen habits and symptoms associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Over a four-year period, the team followed 8,324 children aged 9–14 in the US, analysing time spent on social media, watching TV or videos, and playing video games. Screen time increased significantly with age — from about 30 minutes a day at age 9 to roughly 2.5 hours by age 13.
The findings revealed that children who used platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Messenger for extended periods gradually showed more symptoms of inattention. This trend appeared even though many of these platforms technically restrict users under 13.
The study, published in Pediatrics Open Science, found no similar link between attention problems and time spent watching TV or playing video games.
“It appears to be social media specifically that impacts children’s concentration,” said Torkel Klingberg, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet. He explained that constant notifications, messages, and the anticipation of updates create ongoing mental distractions, weakening the child’s ability to stay focused.
Researchers noted that the association was not affected by socioeconomic factors or genetic risk for ADHD. Importantly, children who already struggled with attention did not increase their social media use, suggesting the direction of influence ran from usage to symptoms, not the other way around.
While no rise in hyperactive or impulsive behaviour was observed, experts cautioned that even small effects at the individual level could translate into meaningful consequences across a large population.