Published on May 18, 2026

How Excessive Screen Time Affects Teen Wellbeing

Image teen sitting with a smartphone in their hands, looking at the screen.

Heavy social media use is linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and poor sleep, particularly in adolescents. While social media apps can offer social support at times, excessive use often leads to harmful social comparison, cyberbullying and negative body image. Healthy habits, such as setting time limits, curating feeds and prioritizing in-person interaction, help mitigate these effects.

The Legacy Center for Community Success worked with Midland County School districts to conduct the 2026 Midland County Youth Study which surveyed students in grades six through 12 to identify developmental assets and risk-taking behaviors. Roughly 4,500 students were involved, answering questions regarding internal assets like resistance skills to unhealthy choices and external assets like feeling supported by their school. They also answered questions about screen usage and their mental health.

An analysis of the data showed a correlation between hours on social media and increased mental health problems, including lower self-esteem and sense of purpose. More hours spent on social media apps was correlated with higher instances of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and even suicide attempts. Videos on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms had similar results: more time spent correlated to higher rates of mental health issues and lower senses of self-esteem and purpose. The study revealed that 20 percent of students reported being bullied online.

The study also showed that those who spent less time in front of screens had more meaningful relationships with fellow students, adults at school and family that offered support and meaningful advice that helped them better navigate risky behaviors.

What does this tell us? Excessive time online during formative years has negative impacts. How can we help? Parents, schools and communities all play a role in helping adolescents develop healthier relationships with technology.

  • Encouraging balanced screen habits, setting reasonable time limits and creating phone-free spaces during meals, homework and bedtime can help reduce overuse.
  • Adults should model healthy digital behavior themselves, since teens often mirror what they observe.
  • Schools can help by teaching digital literacy and mental health awareness.
  • Open conversations about social media’s effects may encourage students to seek support before problems worsen.
  • Increasing connections to counseling services and peer-support programs can also provide important emotional resources.