A major new international study has found a strong link between excessive screen time and mental health challenges in adolescents, including rising rates of insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
The report, published by the Global Youth Wellness Foundation (GYWF), surveyed 72,000 teenagers aged 13 to 19 across 20 countries, including Bangladesh, the U.S., UK, and Japan. The study revealed that teenagers who spend more than 4 hours a day on social media or smartphones are twice as likely to report symptoms of poor sleep quality, mood swings, and lack of motivation.
"Teens today are exposed to a constant stream of notifications, comparisons, and content that overstimulates the brain," said Dr. Nafisa Chowdhury, lead researcher on the Bangladesh team. “It disrupts their sleep cycles, reduces face-to-face interactions, and fuels self-esteem issues.”
Many teens reported checking their phones immediately before sleeping and even waking up at night to respond to messages or scroll through TikTok and Instagram.
The study found:
34% of respondents reported signs of clinical depression
41% had trouble sleeping more than 3 nights a week
29% felt "chronically anxious" or socially disconnected
Girls were more likely to report emotional distress linked to social media use
In Dhaka, psychologists at private clinics say they’ve seen a threefold increase in teen patients over the past two years.
Digital curfews: No screens 1 hour before bed
App timers: Set daily limits for entertainment/social platforms
Offline time: Encourage outdoor activities or family meals
Mental health education: Include digital wellness in school curriculum
Government Initiatives Underway
In response to the growing concern, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education is working with health officials to launch a "Safe Screens" campaign in schools, promoting healthy digital habits and offering workshops for both students and parents.
“This is a national issue, and we must protect our next generation,” said Dr. Mostafa Kamal, advisor to the National Adolescent Health Program.
