A new study from Bend Health reveals that excessive screen time may worsen mental health symptoms in youth. The research indicates that children with higher screen use, particularly video streaming, internet use, and gaming, tend to exhibit more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD-related behaviors. The study, published in Frontiers in Digital Health, analyzed data from 2,835 children ages 6–12 and found a link between specific screen behaviors and clinical symptom data.

The study showed that 93.1% of children with elevated screen time reduced their usage during care through Bend’s collaborative model. More than half no longer met the threshold for elevated use by the end of treatment. Dr. Monika Roots, Co-founder, Chief Medical Officer and President of Bend Health, noted that excessive or emotionally driven screen time could signal deeper issues and that some children are more vulnerable to the negative effects of technology, especially when already struggling with mental health challenges.

Key findings from the study include that nearly all children (98%) used screen media at the start of care, with 58.3% of caregivers reporting problematic use and 23.2% using more than four hours per day. Higher screen time correlated with more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD-related behaviors. Specific media types were linked to inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior. Furthermore, children with high screen time at the beginning of care experienced greater improvements in anxiety and inattention compared to those with lower screen use.

Dr. Roots emphasized the importance of moving beyond the notion that "screens are bad" and recognizing that screen time can reflect underlying distress. Addressing the root causes of this distress can improve both screen use and mental health symptoms. The study suggests that compassionate, non-judgmental approaches to screen use in mental health care can be a powerful early intervention.

Bend Health, Inc. is committed to evidence-based, outcomes-driven care and aims to improve access to high-quality, expert mental health care. Their collaborative care model includes coaches, therapists, and psychiatric providers who work with families to create personalized care plans. Bend’s services cover over 20 million kids through partnerships with insurers, employers, health systems, and self-pay options.