Addiction-Like Screen Use Linked to Mental Health Risks in Preteens

Study finds problematic phone, social media, and gaming behaviors at ages 11-12 associated with higher rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, sleep issues, and early substance use a year later.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A major study tracking over 8,000 American preteens found that addiction-like screen behaviors at ages 11-12, such as compulsive checking, inability to stop, and interference with daily life, were associated with higher risks for depression, suicidal thoughts, sleep problems, and early drinking or drug use one year later. The study exposes that age limits on social media platforms are essentially meaningless, as nearly every child in the study was under 13 yet many reported problematic use patterns.

Why it matters

This research reveals that problematic screen use in early adolescence, before mental health problems and substance use have fully developed, may offer a critical window for intervention. However, with age restrictions on social media platforms being widely ignored, parents and policymakers are left grappling with how to address these concerning trends.

The details

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. At ages 11-12, kids reported on problematic patterns like constantly feeling compelled to check their phones, gaming longer than intended, and checking social media first thing in the morning. A year later, those with addiction-like screen behaviors faced higher levels of depression, attention/deficit issues, oppositional defiant behavior, and suicidal thoughts. Problematic phone and social media use were linked to the widest range of problems, while problematic gaming was associated with depression, attention/deficit problems, and suicide risk, but not early substance use.

  • The study followed children for one year, from ages 11-12 to 12-13.
  • By ages 12-13, more than one in ten participants had tried alcohol.

The players

Jason M. Nagata, MD

Researcher from the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco.

Fiona C. Baker, PhD

Researcher from the Center for Health Sciences, SRI International.

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What they’re saying

“Early adolescence may offer a critical window for intervention before problematic patterns solidify and mental health problems worsen.”

— Jason M. Nagata, Researcher (American Journal of Preventive Medicine)

What’s next

Researchers suggest that intervention during early adolescence, when mental health problems are just emerging and screen habits haven't fully solidified, may be key to preventing problematic patterns from developing further.

The takeaway

This study highlights the urgent need for parents, doctors, and policymakers to address problematic screen use in preteens, as addiction-like behaviors with phones, social media, and gaming are linked to serious mental health risks even before children reach their teenage years.