Toronto parent Andrea Chrysanthou says her 13-year-old son, Nathaniel, struggles to put down his device even after asking for help to reduce his screen time. His experience illustrates a question examined in a series of papers in The Lancet: how digital technology affects young people, and who should address its potential risks.
Researchers reviewed 2,790 studies involving more than nine million participants. They found associations between excessive screen use and less sleep, as well as differences in cognitive, emotional and social development, among children aged 10 and younger. For people aged 10 to 24, the studies identified links with mental health problems, reduced physical activity, substance use, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. These findings describe associations rather than establishing that screens caused each outcome.
Co-author Jay Shaw of the University of Toronto argues that the scale of the findings warrants a public health response. He says researchers cannot assess young people's online activity or its effects without access to data held by technology companies, including how platforms encourage prolonged use.
Psychiatrist Rachel Mitchell says features such as autoplay, notifications and rewards can make it difficult for children to regulate their use. She also notes that digital tools have educational and practical benefits, especially when used in moderation. The research does not call for eliminating children's access to technology.
Some platforms have introduced parental controls or time limits, though these can sometimes be changed. Canada's proposed Safe Social Media Act would require greater transparency and restrict accounts for children under 16 unless adequate safeguards are in place. The proposal has also prompted questions about rights and implementation.
Chrysanthou, who chairs Children First Canada, says parents need support from companies and policymakers. The researchers' recommendation is to balance the benefits of digital access with measures intended to reduce risks, supported by better data.