Uso excesivo de pantallas como factor de riesgo para el deterioro de la salud psicológica en niños y adolescentes: revisión sistemática

Abstract

Introduction: Devices with screens, such as phones, tablets, and televisions, have increasingly and consistently become part of families’ daily routines. This study is relevant because it examines how excessive screen use can increase the risk of anxiety and depression by affecting behavioral control, especially among young people, revealing a bidirectional relationship between screen exposure and emotional and behavioral symptoms. Objective: To determine the relationship between excessive screen use in children and adolescents and the risk of presenting psychological health issues. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, including nine open-access observational studies and one quasi-experimental study published between 2020 and 2025, available in English or Spanish, in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO. Results: A total of 20 studies were analyzed, with a combined sample of 423,599 children and adolescents. Most studies reported statistically significant associations between excessive screen use (≥2 to ≥6 hours/day) and the presence of anxiety, depression, or ADHD. Social media showed the most consistent effects, while educational screen use had a lesser impact. Conclusion: Prolonged screen use is associated with psychological alterations in minors, which calls for evidence-based preventive interventions. Keywords: Screen time, mental deterioration, mental health, children, adolescents