Greater screen usage ‘linked to lower happiness in teenagers’

Teenagers who spend most of their time in front of screens are less likely to be happy than those with other hobbies and interests.

This is according to a new report from San Diego State University, which analysed survey data from more than one million US youngsters. Participants were asked how often they spent time on their phones, tablets and computers, as well as questions about their other habits and overall happiness.

It was found that those who spent more time in front of screen devices playing computer games, using social media, texting and video chatting were less happy than those who invested more time in non-screen activities like sports, reading physical media, and interacting with others face-to-face.

The happiest teens generally used digital media for a little less than an hour per day, but after an hour, unhappiness was shown to rise steadily along with increasing screen time.

Study leader Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, said: "Aim to spend no more than two hours a day on digital media, and try to increase the amount of time you spend seeing friends face-to-face and exercising – two activities reliably linked to greater happiness."

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