A new study from the Karolinska Institute and Oregon Health & Science University has found that frequent social media use may impair children’s ability to concentrate and increase ADHD-related symptoms between ages 10 and 14.
Concerns over the impact of digital platforms on young users have grown in recent years, with evidence pointing to attention problems and weaker short-term memory as common side effects of heavy screen exposure. The new research adds to this body of work by examining the relationship between social media habits and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors.
Researchers analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study, which tracked more than 8,000 children over four years. Participants, who were around 10 years old at the start, reported their daily time spent on social media, video games, and television.
The findings show that children who spent more time on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Messenger gradually developed more inattention symptoms. No similar pattern was observed for video gaming or television viewing.
“It is specifically social media that seems to affect children’s ability to concentrate,” said Torkel Klingberg, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Karolinska Institute. “Constant notifications, messages, and even anticipating new updates can act as ongoing distractions, making it harder for children to stay focused.”
The study also noted a rapid increase in daily social media use—from about 30 minutes among nine-year-olds to roughly 2.5 hours by age 13—despite most platforms setting a minimum age requirement of 13.
Overall, the researchers concluded that rising social media use is associated with a steady increase in inattention symptoms during early adolescence.
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