Problematic digital media use is associated with increased risks of mental health issues, self-harm or suicidal ideation, sleep problems, and substance use in adolescents. Physical-health outcomes, including obesity, myopia, and cardiometabolic risk, have been reported across all ages spanning childhood to adolescence. Thirteen global experts called for immediate public health action worldwide in a series of three papers published in The Lancet.
Digital media use has become a feature of daily life, with particularly rapid uptake among children and adolescents. In an umbrella review, a team of international researchers synthesized evidence from 121 systematic reviews, which included 2,790 unique primary studies and >9 million participants aged 0–24 years. [eClinicalMedicine 2026;doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104225]
“This umbrella review provides the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the associations between digital media use and health, behavioural, and developmental outcomes,” noted the researchers.
Growing up online – growing up at risk
Adverse physical health outcomes, including obesity, myopia, lower back pain, and cardiometabolic risk, were reported across all age groups and mainly related to overall screen time.
In early childhood (0–5 years), higher screen time was associated with negative emotions or conduct problems (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.68), whereas educational screen content was associated with improved language development (OR, 2.45; 95 percent CI, 1.93–3.11).
In children aged 0–10 years, overall screen time was associated with poorer language, cognitive, socioemotional and behavioural development, shorter sleep duration, and autism spectrum disorder or symptoms.
In adolescents aged 10–24 years, problematic digital media use (ie, a pattern of engagement characterized by impaired control, preoccupation or salience, or continued use despite adverse consequences) were associated with negative emotions or conduct problems (OR, 3.26; 95 percent CI, 2.64–4.03), loneliness (OR, 2.30; 95 percent CI, 1.83–2.88), common mental health problems (OR, 2.27; 95 percent CI, 1.87–2.76), poorer quality of life (OR, 2.45; 95 percent CI, 2.30–2.60), self-harm or suicidal ideation/behaviour (OR, 2.20; 95 percent CI, 1.96–2.46), sleep problems (OR, 2.20; 95 percent CI, 1.73–2.79), reduced physical activity (OR, 2.19; 95 percent CI, 1.34–3.57), and alcohol use or other risk behaviours (OR, 1.75; 95 percent, 1.65–1.85).
Social media content showed divergent associations: body-positive content (OR, 1.44; 95 percent CI, 1.18–1.75) was associated with better well-being whereas body-ideal content was associated with poorer well-being (OR, 0.59; 95 percent CI, 0.49–0.71).
How do experts view digital determinants to health?
Given the predominantly observational nature of the evidence, the findings should not be interpreted as causal. “Although additional research, including investigation into causation and the release of data from technology companies, is sorely needed, this should not delay immediate, coordinated, global action,” emphasized the experts in the three-paper series. [Lancet 2026;doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01611-9; Lancet 2026;doi:doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01292-4; Lancet 2026;doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01293-6]
“The impact of digital technologies on health is a product of business models, design choices, and weak governance — not individual willpower,” they pointed out. “With the right governance, a healthier digital world for young people is possible, one that allows them to benefit from online opportunities without substantial risk of harm to health.”