By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, June 12, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A “vicious circle” might exist between screen time and troubled children, a new evidence review says.

Spending too much time on screens may cause emotional and behavioral problems in children – and those problems can lead to even more screen use, according to research published by the American ...

Key points. A new study on adolescent phone use found that kids spend 1.5-2 hours per day on their phones at school. The most used apps are messages, Instagram, video streaming, audio, and email.

At the same time, children already struggling emotionally were more likely to turn to screens, especially for gaming, as a way to cope. The pattern varied depending on age and gender.

Adjusting your sleep schedule can be tough, and helping your kids do the same (whether for daylight saving time, back-to-school, or any other life changes) can feel even more challenging.

These numbers also correlate to starting school at a younger age, consequently putting more strain on eyes to focus on school work. Kids in Asia, for example, can start as early as age 2.