US health authorities warn of growing mental health risks from excessive screen use among children
The Vibes
Last updated: May 21, 2026
The US government has issued a new advisory highlighting concerns about the detrimental effects of excessive digital technology use on young people's mental health and behavior. The report emphasizes the need for children and adolescents to reduce screen time and reconnect with real-world experiences.
- Prolonged screen exposure is linked to sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and other harmful health outcomes in children and teenagers.
- The advisory urges a return to "real life" experiences, encouraging outdoor activities and stricter parental limits on technology use.
- Social media platforms are a primary concern, but AI chatbots and online gambling are also contributing to unhealthy screen dependency.
- Recommendations include prohibiting mobile phone use in schools and incorporating screen-time assessments into annual health check-ups.
- The report, developed by officials from the Office of the US Surgeon General and the Department of Health and Human Services, reflects bipartisan concern over the impact of digital technology.
- While research acknowledges the association between excessive internet use and poorer mental health, it has not definitively established social media as the sole cause of mental health disorders in children.
- Screen exposure among American youth remains high, with children as young as eight spending an average of four or more hours daily in front of screens.
