Smartphone Use and Well-being of Adolescent Girls: a Population-based Study

Overview

Journal Arch Dis Child

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2024 May 21

PMID 38772732

Authors

Silja Kosola

Sara Moro

Elina Holopainen

Affiliations

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Abstract

Background And Objectives: Recent studies have reported an increasing incidence of anxiety among adolescent girls, and associated this with self-reported social media use. This study aimed to measure smartphone and social media use objectively and to evaluate its associations with measures of mental health and well-being.

Methods: In autumn 2022, we recruited a cohort of 1164 first-year female students from 21 socioeconomically diverse high schools. Students responded to an online survey comprising validated questionnaires (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, and Body Appreciation Scale 2) and visual analogue scales of current health, mood, tiredness, and loneliness. We also requested that they attach screenshots depicting their smartphone use.

Results: Among participants (mean age 16.3 years), 16% (n=183) had possible social media addiction and 37% (n=371) exceeded the cut-off for possible anxiety disorders. The BSMAS scores were associated with higher anxiety (r=0.380) and poorer body image (r=-0.268), poorer health (r=-0.252), lower mood (r=-0.261), greater tiredness (r=0.347), and greater loneliness (r=0.226) (p<0.001 for all). Among the 564 adolescents (48%) who sent screenshots of their smartphone use, average daily use was 5.8 hours (SD 2.2), including 3.9 hours (SD 2.0) of social media. Participants who sent screenshots had a higher grade point average than participants without screenshot data, but similar BSMAS and well-being measures.

Conclusions: Consistent with other studies, we found social media addiction was common among adolescent girls and was associated with poorer mental health and well-being. Measures should be taken to protect adolescents from the potential harmful effects of social media use.

Citing Articles

Mobile phone addiction and negative emotions: an empirical study among adolescents in Jiangxi Province.

Luo J, Cai G, Zu X, Huang Q, Cao Q Front Psychiatry. 2025; 16:1541605.

PMID: 39931699 PMC: 11807983. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1541605.

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