Scientists have linked the growth of attention problems in adolescents with social networks

The active use of social media is associated with a gradual increase in attention problems among adolescents, while video games and watching videos do not demonstrate such an effect. This conclusion was reached by scientists based on the results of a long-term study of more than 8 thousand children. This was reported in the journal Medical Xpress.

The study covered more than 8 thousand children, who were followed from 10 to 14 years old. Participants were regularly interviewed about their digital habits, dividing their screen activity into three categories: video games, video watching, and social media.

The researchers analyzed changes in two key symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — inattention and hyperactivity. The main conclusion showed that it is the use of social networks that is associated with a gradual increase in inattention. At the same time, playing video games and watching videos did not demonstrate a statistically significant negative effect.

The authors also tested the reverse hypothesis — whether the initial inattention can lead to more active use of social networks. The analysis did not confirm this connection: the direction turned out to be one—sided - it was the social networks that predicted a further deterioration in concentration. The results persisted even taking into account the genetic predisposition to ADHD and the level of family income.

According to the researchers, it's not about the harm of screens per se. The lack of effect from video games and videos makes it possible to doubt the popular version that any digital content equally affects the brain through dopamine mechanisms. As a possible explanation, scientists point to constant distractions in social networks — notifications, waiting for messages and continuous switching of attention.

In contrast, video games usually take place in limited time sessions and require sustained concentration on a single task. Social networks, on the contrary, accompany the user throughout the day, forming a constant cognitive noise.

It is noted that the effect of social media on an individual level cannot be called strong — it does not lead to a sharp transition from normal to clinical ADHD. However, at the level of the entire population, even a small decrease in concentration can lead to a significant increase in the number of diagnoses. Theoretically, increasing the average time on social media by one hour per day can increase the number of ADHD diagnoses by about 30%.

Play on Alpha: who will replace the buzzers

The new generation thinks globally, but will not be able to earn an apartment.

Over the past two decades, the time spent using social networks has increased dramatically. If 20 years ago they were practically absent, today teenagers spend about five hours a day online, mainly on social platforms. The proportion of teenagers who consider themselves "constantly online" has increased from 24% in 2015 to 46% in 2023.

Against this background, the authors point out that the increase in the number of ADHD diagnoses cannot be attributed solely to increased awareness and reduced stigma. In their opinion, there is also a real increase in the level of inattention. As a possible answer to the problem, the experience of Australia is cited, where from December 2025, social platforms are required to provide access only to users over the age of 16, under threat of heavy fines.

On November 26, Reuters reported that the European Parliament (EP) called on the European Union (EU) to limit the possibility of registering on social networks to children under the age of 16 in order to combat the growing level of mental health problems among young people. The parliamentary resolution, which was supported by 483 out of more than 650 MPs, called for an EU-wide ban on children under 16 accessing online platforms without parental consent, as well as a complete ban on children under 13.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.