Are There Any Studies Connecting Screen Time to Drug Addiction Later in Life?

We live in a heavily digital world. Kids are growing up with smartphones, tablets, social media, online gaming, video streaming and more. A question many parents, educators and treatment professionals are asking now is: Does heavy screen time in youth increase the risk of substance use or addiction later on?

The answer is nuanced. Research suggests possible links, especially when screen use becomes compulsive, displaces other healthy behaviors or involves exposure to drug-related content. Still, there’s no definitive proof that screen time itself causes drug addiction.

Here’s what recent studies show, what’s possible and what High Focus Centers believes is essential to know.

What the Evidence Suggests

Screen Time & Substance Experimentation in Early Adolescents

A 2025 study led by Dr. JM Nagata examined preteens (roughly ages 12–14) and found that certain types of screen activities social media, texting and video chatting were associated with earlier experimentation with substances including alcohol, nicotine and cannabis. For example, each additional hour on social media was linked to 20% higher odds of trying one of those substances. Texting and video-chatting also had measurable but somewhat lower associations.

It’s important to note that passive screen activities, such as watching TV or non-interactive video content, didn’t show as strong a connection in that study. It seems the social or communicative aspects make a difference.

Addictive-Like Screen Use, Mental Health, and Risk Behaviors

Another 2025 study published in JAMA tracked thousands of youths who began the survey around ages 9–10 and followed them for several years. Those who developed addictive patterns of screen use, meaning features like compulsion, distress when not using or using screens to escape, had significantly higher rates of emotional or behavioral problems, including anxiety, depression and risk-taking behavior. Though this study didn’t directly prove that these behaviors lead to full-blown substance use disorder later, it does suggest a worrying pathway.

Screen Time & Mental Health Symptoms

Other research shows a moderate but significant association between high screen time and internalizing symptoms (like depression and anxiety), attention difficulties, conduct problems and other behavioral symptoms in adolescents and young adults. For instance, a large study with data from 50,000+ children and adolescents found that four or more hours of screen time per day was linked with higher risks of depression, anxiety, poorer sleep routines, irregular bedtimes and decreased physical activity. These mental health problems are known risk factors for later substance use or misuse.

What We Don’t Yet Know

• Causation vs. correlation: Most studies are observational, meaning they show associations but not a direct cause. Youth who are already predisposed to mental health challenges (or other risk factors) may use screens more and are more likely to experiment with substances.
• Long-term follow-up: Fewer studies follow people from adolescence into adulthood to see if early screen habits directly predict addiction later.
• Which screen behaviors matter most: As noted above, interactive/social screen time (social media, texting, etc.) seems more closely linked to experimentation or risk than passive screen time, but there’s still much to understand.
• Effect sizes are often small: Yes, associations are real, but many are modest. That doesn’t mean they’re unimportant—especially when you scale to millions of youths but it does mean that screen time is only one of many risk factors.

Why These Findings Matter

Given what we do know, here are some of the ways screen time may contribute to risk:

• Displacement of healthy behaviors: More screen time often means less sleep, less physical activity and fewer face-to-face social interactions, each of which plays a protective role against substance use.
• Mental health effects: Screen overuse has been linked to anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. These mental health struggles can increase vulnerability to substance use as a coping mechanism.
• Exposure to risky content: Seeing peers or influencers using substances on social media can normalize their use, making experimentation seem more acceptable or less risky.
• Addictive behavior patterns: When screen use becomes compulsive, it can help train brain circuits toward reward-seeking behaviors, which may translate into seeking other forms of reward (substances, risky behaviors).

What Can Families, Schools & Treatment Centers Do?

• Monitor not just time, but patterns: It’s more important to notice signs of compulsion, inability to stop, using screens to escape stress or emotional pain, than simply counting hours.
• Set healthy screen boundaries: Bedtime limits, screen-free zones, tech-free meal times, etc.
• Encourage alternative activities, such as physical activity, in-person friendships, hobbies and creative outlets, as these all reduce risk.
• Talk with youth openly about screen content: Discuss what they see on social media, how it might influence their thinking or behaviors about substances.
• Mental health support early: If anxiety, depression or emotional struggles are present, address them early. Treatment centers, counselors or therapists can help build healthier coping strategies.

How High Focus Centers Approaches This

At High Focus Centers, we see many clients who struggle with substance use. In many cases, underlying mental health concerns or behaviors set them on risky paths before addiction takes hold. Understanding how screen time and digital behaviors may contribute is part of our holistic assessment. We integrate:

• Screening for emotional and behavioral symptoms (anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc.)
• Helping clients rebuild healthy routines (sleep hygiene, physical activity, balanced social interaction)
• Exploring clients’ digital lives: how they use devices, social media, gaming and whether they feel control or compulsion around those habits
• Family involvement and education, so caregivers can help set supportive boundaries

Bottom Line

We don’t yet have conclusive evidence that high screen time causes drug addiction later in life. Still, mounting research suggests a link, especially when screen use is excessive, compulsive or replaces healthy behavior and social support for youth who are already at risk, whether due to mental health issues, family environment, trauma or other factors; screen behaviors may magnify that risk.

Suppose you’re concerned about a young person’s screen habits, mood or substance use. Early intervention matters. At High Focus Centers, our mission is to help guide people back from risky behaviors toward healthier, more balanced lives. If you or a loved one could benefit from support, we’re here.