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Review
. 2025 Sep 10;14(3):1129-1158.
doi: 10.1556/2006.2025.00081. Print 2025 Sep 30.

Impact of digital addiction on youth health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Blen Dereje Shiferaw  1 , Jie Tang  2 , Yingxue Wang  1 , Yihan Wang  1 , Yuhao Wang  1 , Louisa Esi Mackay  1 , Yunjiao Luo  1 , Na Yan  1 , Xinyu Shen  3 , Tong Zhou  4 , Yiran Zhu  1 , Jialin Cai  1 , Qingzhi Wang  1 , Wenjun Yan  1 , Xiuyin Gao  1 , Haifeng Pan  5 , Wei Wang  1   6   7
Affiliations
Review

Impact of digital addiction on youth health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Blen Dereje Shiferaw et al. J Behav Addict. .

Abstract

Background and aims: Digital addiction among youth, characterized by excessive and compulsive use of digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media platforms, has become a global concern. The present study aimed to investigate the association between digital addiction subtypes in youth and various health outcomes using "digital addiction" as an umbrella term.

Methods: We comprehensively reviewed articles reporting health outcomes related to digital addiction in youth from the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science databases using a targeted search strategy and assessed them using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: Youth with digital addiction were more likely to be overweight or obese (OR: 1.25, 95%CI: 1.03-1.48), reporting poor self-rated health (OR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.42-2.08), and experience sleep problems such as insomnia (OR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.33-1.59) and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.37-1.64). These individuals also demonstrated higher odds of mental health concerns, including suicidal tendencies (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 2.36-2.90), symptoms of depression (OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.68-1.83), stress (OR: 2.15, 95%CI: 1.79-2.52), and anxiety (OR: 2.14, 95%CI: 1.99-2.28). Furthermore, they were more prone to engage in smoking (OR: 1.55, 95%CI: 1.41-1.68), problematic alcohol consumption (OR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.33-1.60), and drug use (OR: 1.94, 95%CI: 1.44-2.44).

Conclusions: The present findings suggest that digital addiction among youth has a significant and wide range of detrimental health outcomes, including physical, mental, and behavioral issues.

Keywords: digital addiction; health; meta-analysis; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
PRISMA Flow Diagram of the Literature Search Process
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Pooled ORs from random-effects meta-analyses Note: OR = odds ratio, 95%CI = 95% confidence interval attention; deficit hyperactivity disorder: ADHD, Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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