📱 Screens and teens: social media, video games... which is most harmful to mental health?

Screens are now an integral part of our daily lives, and their use raises more and more questions about their effects on young people's mental health. A study conducted at Laval University reveals that not all screen uses are associated in the same way with the flourishing of teenage girls and boys.

The research team examined five types of recreational screens: social media, video games, television and streaming platforms, messaging, and internet browsing. "Few studies have broken down the different types of screens, even though they can generate different cognitive processes or different reactions," reports Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay, professor in the Faculty of Nursing and researcher at the VITAM Sustainable Health Research Center, who led the study.


Unlike many studies focused on negative symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, this study was interested in an indicator of positive mental health: flourishing. "It is a state of mental well-being characterized by positive emotions, a sense of purpose, personal growth, and good social relationships," specifies the researcher.

The data comes from the COMPASS project, a pan-Canadian longitudinal study that conducts annual surveys in participating secondary schools. In 2024, 58,472 young people from Quebec completed a questionnaire to estimate their average daily time spent on different types of screens as well as their level of flourishing.

Usage thresholds with variable effects

The results show that the effect on this mental state varies according to the type of screen used. For video games and internet browsing, a decrease in the flourishing score is observed from the first 15 minutes of use, compared to young people who do not use these screens.

Conversely, social media, television and streaming platforms, as well as messaging, are associated with a slight increase in the flourishing score when the duration of use is between 30 and 60 minutes per day. This effect, however, quickly plateaus and gradually deteriorates beyond two hours per day.

The professor warns against an overly optimistic interpretation of the results: "The observed benefits are minimal. This does not mean there are no negative effects on other dimensions, such as sedentary behavior, anxiety, or depression." She adds that the majority of young people far exceed the usage times for which a slight improvement is observed.

One hypothesis put forward to explain the differences between types of screens concerns the social dimension. Social media and messaging are often used to keep in touch with friends, which may reflect positive and rewarding relationships. "However, it remains essential to prioritize face-to-face interactions. This is crucial for the development of social skills," the professor reminds.

Effects on daily life

Beyond flourishing, excessive screen use can also encroach on activities deemed essential for the development of teenage girls and boys, such as reading, sports, or sleep. "Time spent in front of screens eats into the time available for these activities, which can have repercussions on mental and physical health," specifies Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay.

According to the researcher, the study's results remind us of the importance of implementing strategies to limit screen time beyond the thresholds associated with well-being. She suggests, among other things, setting time limits, with apps for example, avoiding screens in the bedroom, prioritizing screen-free activities, or less harmful types of screens.

"We must remain vigilant regarding the different types of screens and their impacts on our mental health, not only for anxiety and depression, but also for flourishing," she concludes.

The signatories of the study, published in the journal Public Health, affiliated with Laval University are Benjamin Tézier, Slim Haddad, Richard E. Bélanger, Claude Bacque Dion and Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay.