March 19, 2026

Excessive screen time and social media use exacerbate ADHD symptoms and may impact brain development in children with the condition, according to two new studies.

Social media (e.g., Snapchat or Instagram) use gradually increases symptoms of inattention in children with ADHD, with a cumulative four-year effect, a new study published in Pediatrics Open Science found. ADHD symptoms alone, however, did not predict a rise in social media use. Further, playing video games or watching television and videos did not increase the risk of developing ADHD symptoms. The study found the opposite: Children who played video games or watched television and videos experienced reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity. ¹

“We can only speculate about the mechanisms underlying the association between social media use and increased inattention symptoms,” the researchers wrote. “Social media platforms often involve constant messaging and notifications, which can disrupt attention and interfere with current activities. Experimental studies have shown that such interruptions, or even the mere presence of a mobile phone nearby without using it, can impair attention and learning on psychological tests.” ²

In contrast, cognitively engaging exercises (e.g., activities requiring strategy, coordination, and quick decision-making, such as team sports or martial arts) significantly improve sustained attention in children and adolescents with ADHD, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. ³

The Pediatrics Open Science study examined the longitudinal associations between ADHD symptoms in 8,324 children who participated in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study and various types of digital media. The researchers tracked the children from ages 9 or 10 for 4 years.

Over that time, children spent an average of

• 3 hours/day watching television/videos
• 4 hours/ day on social media
• 5 hours/day playing video games

At age 9, children spent approximately 30 minutes per day using social media. The time spent on social media rose to 2.5 hours by age 13, despite the fact that most platforms, such as Facebook and TikTok, require users to be 13 years or older. While the yearly effect size of 0.15 is considered statistically small for a single child, it can have substantial consequences at the population level.

“Together, these results strengthen the potentially causal link between social media use and changes in inattention symptoms,” the researchers wrote.

Another recent study using advanced MRI imaging and ABCD data from more than 10,000 children in the same age range found similarly negative outcomes when examining the broader effects of screen time. The study, published in Translational Psychiatry, found an association between extended screen exposure and changes in brain structure that may exacerbate ADHD symptoms in children.⁴

The researchers observed that children with high screen use had reduced cortical thickness and volume in the right putamen, an area of the brain involved in reward processing and habit formation, as well as changes in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in focus, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Such changes in brain structure may make it more difficult for children to pay attention and regulate their behavior, which are two prominent features of ADHD.

“Our results indicate a partial mediating effect of cortical volume in the relationship between screen time and ADHD symptoms,” the researchers wrote. “Specifically, longer screen time was associated with smaller cortical volume, which in turn was linked to more severe ADHD symptoms, suggesting that cortical volume may partially explain this association.”

At the two-year follow-up, screen time remained a significant predictor of ADHD symptoms in children, even after controlling for baseline ADHD symptoms as covariates. However, causality could not be established since the results were derived from cross-sectional analyses of the ABCD baseline data.

Social Media Risks

Both studies align with a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General advisory calling social media a “profound risk of harm” to the mental health of children and teens.

According to an ADDitude survey of 1,187 caregivers, 72% of children aged 10 and older with ADHD use social media. Of those, 35% reported adverse mental health effects, including anxiety, sadness, sleep problems, and depression. These negative outcomes are about 70% higher than those seen in adolescents who don’t use social media. In addition, 15% of adolescents with ADHD who use social media reportedly experience eating problems, and 14% have engaged in self-harm. Those numbers are much higher for girls.

“Neurodivergent people, especially those with the focus and self-regulation challenges associated with ADHD, could have a harder time regulating their emotions and unplugging from screens,” said Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., during the ADDitude Mental Health Out Loud episode “The Mental Health Fallout from Social Media Use.”

Charmaraman recommends that caregivers talk openly with their children about their online experiences to help them become more mindful of their social media use and its effects.

“Avoid judgmental, disproportionate responses when your child comes to you with a social media-related issue,” she said. “Often, tweens and teens will keep things to themselves, afraid that their parents will tell them to deactivate their social media profiles or take away their devices altogether at the first hint of a problem. Should an issue come up, approach with curiosity and collaborate with your teen on a solution.”

Sources

¹Nivins, S., Mooney, M.A., Nigg, J., Klingberg, T. (2026). Digital media, genetics, and risk for ADHD symptoms in children: a longitudinal study. Pediatrics Open Science. https://doi.org/10.1542/pedsos.2025-000922

² Van Der Schuur, W.A., Baumgartner, S.E., Sumter, S.R., Valkenburg, P.M. (2015). The consequences of media multitasking for youth: a review Comput Human Behav. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.06.035

³Zhao, M., Li, J., Xu, R.H. et al. (2025). The impact of exercise interventions on sustained attention for children and adolescents with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-07187-y

⁴Shou, Q., Yamashita, M. & Mizuno, Y. (2025). Association of screen time with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and their development: the mediating role of brain structure. Transl Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03672-1

Emanuel Fabian, a military correspondent for the Times of Israel, received death threats from Polymarket gamblers after he reported a missile strike in Israel.

“You have no idea how much you’ve put yourself at risk. Today is the most significant day of your career. You have two choices: either believe that we have the capabilities, and after you make us lose $900,000 we will invest no less than that to finish you. Or end this with money in your pocket, and also earn back the life you had until now.”

After I didn’t respond, as I was asleep, Haim sent me another series of messages: “You are choosing to go to war knowing that you will lose your life as you’ve grown accustomed to it — for nothing.”

On Sunday morning, he messaged me again: “You have exactly a few hours left to fix your attempt at influencing [the market]. It would be stupid of you to ignore this.”

It seems the wisdom of crowds also goes the other direction.

Tags: crowds, Polymarket, prediction market, threats

23andMe, the business predicated on people sending cheek swabs to have their DNA analyzed, exposed the personal data of half of customers in a data breach a couple years ago. The company filed for bankruptcy. Lily Jamali for BBC reports:

Founded in 2006, the company went public in 2021 but has never turned a profit.

In September, the firm settled a lawsuit alleging that it failed to protect the privacy of nearly seven million customers whose personal information was exposed in a 2023 data breach.

In some cases, hackers gained access to family trees, birth years and geographic locations, by using customers’ old passwords. The data stolen did not include DNA records, according to the company.

If you used the service, maybe keep an eye on what happens to your data if the company goes under or is sold off. The California attorney general issued a customer alert with instructions on how delete your data, destroy your sample, and revoke data permissions.

Tags: 23andMe, ethics, privacy

In almost every dataset about life and people that stretches back past March 2020, you can find the blip when Covid changed how we live. Aatish Bhatia and Irineo Cabreros, for NYT’s the Upshot, used a stack of 30 charts to show the shifts.

Each chart shows a pre-Covid gray on the left and a post-Covid red-orange on the right. The lines (or bars) on the post-Covid side extend the past when you scroll. Usually charts that show an empty space to start and then animate the rest are gimmicks, but the extensions highlight the sudden changes in this series.

The scroll style and dimensions are very mobile-first, as the stack plays out in a more familiar way on a phone. The style also makes the 30 charts feel like not too much.

Tags: Covid, Upshot

Raising a child with ADHD often magnifies the challenges of caregiving. If you are a father with ADHD, as I am, you can only give your kids the structure and support they need if you manage your own symptoms first. And that begins with regulating your emotions, managing stress, and learning to respond positively to your child’s emotional needs.

Try the following parenting tips to forge a more meaningful connection with your child.

Listen and Validate

Don’t rush to fix everyone. Many men immediately adopt a problem-solving approach when children (and spouses) air their problems, but most children simply want to feel heard. Validate your child by saying: “That sounds really hard/frustrating/scary. I’m sorry you’re going through that.” Check-in after this step to see if your child wants your help with problem-solving.

[Download: Free Guide for Parents with ADHD]

Manage Your Emotions

Picture this: You’ve asked your child twice to put their dirty dish in the dishwasher. A short time later, you make a third request. Hours later, the dish is still in the sink. You explode. “How many times do I have to ask you to do this?!” Your growing frustration may have been obvious to you, but to your child, you went from zero to 100 in no time.

Don’t assume your kids understand your escalating frustration. Instead, practice emotional regulation. Talk to your child at eye level to help them feel safe. Deploy humor to de-escalate your response to the situation. You can say, “This is the fourth time I’ve asked you to put your dish in the dishwasher. If I see the dish in the sink when I come back, I’m going to go bananas.”

Set Expectations

Children with ADHD thrive on clear rules, directions, and consistency. Instead of saying, “Clean your room,” be more specific. Say, “Move your clothes from the floor to the hamper.” Break down chores into small, manageable steps to reduce opposition.

Forgive and Forget

All children have outbursts. When you forgive your child for their reactions and mistakes, they understand that they have your unwavering love and support. At the same time, you need to apologize to your child when you lose your cool. It’s a sign of respect that will strengthen your bond.

[Sign Up for ADDitude’s Free Parenting Class]

Tame Your Triggers

Your child’s ADHD-related challenges may remind you of your own, which could bring up feelings of frustration, guilt, and anger. Be aware of when this is happening. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and being in nature can help you cope with daily stress and be a more patient parent.

Ideas to Foster Meaningful Connections with Your Child

• Affirm your child’s efforts to connect with you, even if you can’t immediately participate. Say, “Sure, I’d love to play catch with you after I do the dishes.” Aim to say yes more than no.
• Play a video or board game together.
• Do chores together or fix items around the home.
• Show your child how to prepare a meal.
• Play a sport or go for a walk.
• Invite your child on an errand run.

Parenting Tips for Dads: Next Steps

Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., is the producer and host of the ADHD Essentials podcast.

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