A recent study conducted by researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Oregon Health & Science University in the USA reveals a troubling correlation between social media use and declining concentration abilities in children. Published in Pediatrics Open Science, the research followed over 8,000 children from the ages of 9 to 14, highlighting significant changes in attention span as social media usage increased.
The study tracked the screen habits of 8,324 children in the USA for four years. Researchers gathered data on the time children spent on various digital platforms, including social media, television, and video games. Parents provided assessments of their children’s attention levels and hyperactivity.
Social Media’s Unique Impact on Concentration
Findings indicate that children who frequently engage with social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter exhibit a gradual increase in symptoms of inattention. Notably, the study found no similar link between time spent watching television or playing video games and attention issues.
Torkel Klingberg, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet, noted, “Our study suggests that it is specifically social media that affects children’s ability to concentrate.” He explained that the constant notifications and distractions associated with social media could be mental interruptions that hinder focus.
The study also determined that socioeconomic status and genetic predisposition to ADHD did not influence this association. Children exhibiting initial signs of inattention did not increase their social media use, indicating that the relationship is likely one of causation—where social media usage leads to concentration difficulties rather than the other way around.
Implications for Parents and Policymakers
While the individual effect on concentration appears small, the researchers emphasize the potential broader implications for public health. “Greater consumption of social media might explain part of the increase we’re seeing in ADHD diagnoses,” Klingberg added. This insight raises questions about how social media consumption is shaping children’s cognitive development in today’s digital age.
The research revealed that the average time spent on social media by children escalated from approximately 30 minutes daily at age 9 to around 2.5 hours by age 13. Many platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13, raising concerns about the appropriateness of this age limit in light of the findings.
Samson Nivins, postdoctoral researcher and the study’s first author, emphasized the need for informed decision-making among parents and policymakers regarding children’s digital consumption. “We hope that our findings will help parents and policymakers make well-informed decisions on healthy digital consumption that supports children’s cognitive development,” he stated.
The researchers plan to continue monitoring the children beyond age 14 to see if the observed association persists. The study received funding from the Swedish Research Council and the Masonic Home for Children in Stockholm Foundation. For further details, the full study is available under the title “Digital Media, Genetics and Risk for ADHD Symptoms in Children – A Longitudinal Study” in Pediatrics Open Science.
