Last updated by charlotte.lang@essex.gov.uk on Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Teenagers with problematic smartphone use (PSU) are twice as likely to have anxiety. Two studies by King’s College London have looked at links with PSU and mental health issues in teenagers in the UK.
The research included one study with 16 to 18 year olds and another with 13 to 16 year olds. Findings show:
Both studies also found that many young people wish to spend less time on their phones. Almost two-thirds of 16-18 year olds reported that they have tried to cut down their smartphone use, and one in eight said they wanted help to reduce their use.
Similarly, nearly 90% of 13 to 16 year olds reported that they had attempted at least one strategy to limit their smartphone use, including putting it on silent or turning off notifications.