Compulsive social media use may worsen ADHD symptoms

Clinical takeaway: When evaluating adolescents with ADHD symptoms or attention concerns, ask not only how much time they spend on social media but also whether they struggle to control their use. Problematic patterns may warrant counseling and closer follow-up, especially in mid-adolescent boys.

Problematic social media use has increasingly been linked to adolescent mental health, but most studies have focused on screen time or have been cross-sectional. This large longitudinal study suggests that problematic social media behaviors themselves—not simply time spent online—may be associated with small increases in ADHD symptoms over time.

Researchers analyzed annual data from 11,286 US adolescents participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study over five years. Problematic social media use was defined by behaviors such as preoccupation with social media, unsuccessful attempts to cut back, and interference with daily life. ADHD symptoms were reported annually by parents.

During mid-adolescence, problematic social media use was associated with small increases in ADHD symptoms the following year at two consecutive annual assessments. The reverse relationship was weaker, with ADHD symptoms predicting later problematic social media use at only one annual assessment.

The association differed by sex. Among boys, increases in problematic social media use predicted higher ADHD symptoms at two consecutive annual assessments, whereas no significant prospective association was observed among girls.

“Screening for hard-to-control social media use, rather than focusing only on time spent online, and paying attention to sex-specific patterns may be warranted,” the study authors concluded.

Source: Nagata JM, et al. (2026 Jul 17) JAMA Netw Open. Problematic social media use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adolescents