Archives of disease in childhoodMay 21, 2024

Smartphone use and well-being in teenage girls: a large population study

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Updated Mar 26, 2026

Abstract

Among 1164 first-year female students, 37% exceeded the cut-off for possible anxiety disorders.

16% of participants exhibited signs of possible .
Higher social media addiction scores were linked to increased anxiety and lower body image.
Participants reported an average daily smartphone use of 5.8 hours, including 3.9 hours on social media.
Adolescents who shared their smartphone use data had higher academic performance but similar mental health and well-being measures.

Simplified

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have reported an increasing incidence of anxiety among adolescent girls, and associated this with self-reported social media use. This study aimed to measure smartphone and social media use objectively and to evaluate its associations with measures of mental health and well-being.

METHODS: In autumn 2022, we recruited a cohort of 1164 first-year female students from 21 socioeconomically diverse high schools. Students responded to an online survey comprising validated questionnaires (Bergen Scale (BSMAS), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, and Body Appreciation Scale 2) and visual analogue scales of current health, mood, tiredness, and loneliness. We also requested that they attach screenshots depicting their smartphone use.

RESULTS: Among participants (mean age 16.3 years), 16% (n=183) had possible social media addiction and 37% (n=371) exceeded the cut-off for possible anxiety disorders. The BSMAS scores were associated with higher anxiety (r=0.380) and poorer body image (r=-0.268), poorer health (r=-0.252), lower mood (r=-0.261), greater tiredness (r=0.347), and greater loneliness (r=0.226) (p<0.001 for all). Among the 564 adolescents (48%) who sent screenshots of their smartphone use, average daily use was 5.8 hours (SD 2.2), including 3.9 hours (SD 2.0) of social media. Participants who sent screenshots had a higher grade point average than participants without screenshot data, but similar BSMAS and well-being measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies, we found social media addiction was common among adolescent girls and was associated with poorer mental health and well-being. Measures should be taken to protect adolescents from the potential harmful effects of social media use.

Key numbers

183 of 1164

Possible

Participants showing signs of addiction based on the BSMAS.

5.8 hours

Average Daily Smartphone Use

Average time spent by participants based on objective data.

371 of 1164

Possible Anxiety Disorder

Participants scoring above the cut-off for anxiety disorders on the GAD-7.

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Smartphone use and well-being in teenage girls: a large population study

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