Adolescence is a period of rapid development, and behaviors established during this time can influence emotional, mental, and physical health well into adulthood. Over the past two decades, the proliferation of smartphones, handheld devices, and social media has dramatically reshaped daily life—including for teenagers. Numerous studies have linked excessive screen time to poor posture, physical inactivity, adverse metabolic outcomes, neck pain, behavioral concerns, lower academic performance, and mood disorders. But how much screen time is too much?
According to a January 2026 article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, teens aged 13 to 18 average more than…
