Social media leads to attention problems
Attention problems among teenagers are increasingly associated not with video games or watching videos, but with the active use of social networks. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of a new study that tracked the digital habits of more than eight thousand children over several years. The participants were followed from the age of about ten to fourteen. During this time, it was recorded how much time they spent playing video games, watching videos, and on social media. Then, the experts assessed changes in two key signs of attention deficit disorder — absent-mindedness and hyperactivity.
The results showed that it was social media activity that was associated with a gradual increase in inattention. At the same time, neither video games nor watching videos and movies had such an effect. It is important that this relationship persisted even after taking into account the hereditary predisposition to ADHD and the family income level.
The reverse hypothesis was also tested — whether children with attention problems are starting to use social networks more often. However, the data showed that the direction of communication is different: it is the active use of social platforms that predicts the subsequent deterioration of concentration.
The reasons for this effect have not yet been fully studied, but scientists suggest that constant distraction plays a key role. Social media creates a feeling of continuous waiting for new messages and notifications, which is why attention is regularly interrupted. Even the thought of a possible message can interfere with concentration, and with prolonged exposure, it can affect attention in general.
In contrast, video games are usually time-limited and require focus on one task, which may explain the lack of negative effects. We are not talking about a sharp increase in the number of cases of ADHD in every single teenager. However, even a slight decrease in attention, spread over the entire population, can lead to a marked increase in the number of diagnoses.
Over the past 15-20 years, the time teenagers spend on social media has grown from zero to several hours a day. More and more young people are saying that they are online almost constantly. According to the researchers, this factor may explain a significant part of the increase in attention problems observed in recent years.
The authors of the study believe that talking about increased diagnosis and reduced stigma alone is not enough. Social media is probably really contributing to the change in attention among teenagers. The question now is what measures can limit this effect and help maintain the ability to concentrate in a digital environment.
Published
December, 2025
Category
Interesting facts
Duration of reading
3-4 minutes
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Journal The Conversation. Article: «Social media, not gaming, tied to rising attention problems in teens, new study finds»
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