For many teenagers, daily life now unfolds across several screens at once. Homework is completed on laptops, friendships are maintained through social media, and relaxation often means scrolling, streaming or gaming. New research suggests that when this multi screen use becomes addictive, it may quietly undermine adolescent mental health. The findings were published in BMC Psychology.
A study of 309 high school students aged 14–19 has found that multiple screen addiction is significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress . The research examined not just screen time itself, but the psychological processes that may explain why excessive digital use is linked to emotional distress.
Participants completed established measures of multi screen addiction, psychological vulnerability, psychological flexibility, and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress . On average, teenagers in the sample reported more than four hours of daily phone use, alongside additional time spent on tablets, computers and television .
The results showed a clear pattern. Adolescents with higher levels of multiple screen addiction were more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress . This echoes wider concerns about screen addiction in teenagers and its impact on mental health, including sleep disruption, compulsive behaviour and loss of control.
However, the most striking finding was how this relationship worked. When researchers examined psychological flexibility and psychological vulnerability together, they found that both fully mediated the link between screen addiction and mental health outcomes. In simple terms, excessive screen use appeared to increase distress because it was associated with lower psychological flexibility and higher psychological vulnerability.
Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to adapt thoughts and behaviour in line with personal values, even during stress. Teenagers who struggle with flexibility may find it harder to regulate emotions, cope with setbacks or disengage from unhelpful patterns. In contrast, psychological vulnerability involves a tendency to interpret negative experiences as fixed, personal and enduring, which can intensify feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
The study found that higher multi screen addiction was linked to lower psychological flexibility and greater vulnerability . In turn, vulnerability was positively associated with depression, anxiety and stress, while flexibility was negatively associated with these symptoms. Once these two factors were accounted for, the direct link between screen addiction and mental health problems was no longer statistically significant.
This suggests that the emotional harm linked to heavy digital device use may not be driven by screen exposure alone. Instead, it may depend on how young people interpret and manage their experiences. Teenagers who are already psychologically vulnerable or who lack flexible coping skills may be particularly at risk when screen use becomes excessive.
The findings add nuance to public debates about social media addiction and adolescent mental health. Digital devices can offer connection, information and entertainment. Yet when use becomes compulsive and displaces sleep, offline relationships or academic engagement, the psychological costs may accumulate.
Importantly, the researchers highlight the practical implications for schools and mental health services. Interventions that strengthen psychological flexibility, such as approaches based on acceptance and commitment therapy, may help reduce depression and anxiety linked to screen addiction. At the same time, identifying and addressing psychological vulnerability could form part of early prevention strategies.
The study was cross sectional, meaning it cannot prove cause and effect . Nevertheless, it provides evidence that digital well being in adolescence is closely tied to underlying emotional skills. As smartphones and online platforms remain embedded in teenage life, attention may need to shift from simply counting hours to understanding how young people cope with what they encounter online.