Digital addiction impacts mental health and adolescent well-being

Clinical experts are warning about the rising impact of problematic internet and screen use on mental health. At the 32nd National Congress of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, psychologist Hilario Garrudo Hernández noted that screen addiction is often underdiagnosed and normalized, making clinical detection difficult. A lack of international diagnostic consensus means that while pathological gambling and video game addiction are formally recognized, other behaviors like compulsive social media use, online shopping, and continuous streaming often fall outside official mental health manuals.

In Spain, data from the Ministry of Health indicates that approximately 23.1% of adolescents aged 14 to 18 exhibit problematic or compulsive internet use, with a higher incidence among girls. Experts suggest that social media addiction may be considered when a person shows symptoms such as intolerance, withdrawal, loss of control, and the abandonment of important activities for at least twelve months.

Beyond behavioral issues, excessive screen time is linked to psychological and biological consequences. Constant exposure to digital stimuli can lead to anxiety, frustration, and 'digital hypervigilance'—the compulsive need to check notifications. Furthermore, prolonged device use, especially at night, disrupts sleep cycles, leading to increased fatigue and stress. Specialists recommend establishing clear routines and practicing digital hygiene to mitigate these risks.