Impact of screen and social media use on mental health

The widespread use of digital media, especially in childhood and adolescence, raises significant concern about its impact on health, as it can affect physical, mental, and psychosocial health and development.

Technology could be beneficial for specific areas, but current use and design carry significant risks. Several studies have linked the use of electronic devices with an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression and self-injury, particularly in people with pre-existing risk factors. Problematic internet use, including interaction with social networks and exposure to cyberbullying, can aggravate existing psychiatric disorders.

Therefore, health care professionals must adopt a preventive stance, promoting active supervision and setting of screen time limits. Regulating the use of digital devices should be a priority in the context of child care to protect children’s and adolescents’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being in the short, medium, and long term.