Mobile Phone Screen Time: Effects on Physical Health, Mental Well-Being, Sleep Patterns, and Academic Performance among Adolescents

The rapid growth of mobile phone technology has significantly changed the lifestyle of adolescents across the world. Smartphones are now widely used for communication, entertainment, social networking, and educational purposes. While these devices offer many benefits, excessive mobile phone screen time has become a growing public health concern. The present study examines the extent of mobile phone screen time among adolescents and its association with physical health, mental well-being, sleep quality, and academic performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 adolescents aged 13–18 years from urban and semi-urban schools. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing screen time, sleep patterns, and mental health, along with academic records. The results revealed that a large proportion of adolescents exceeded recommended screen time limits. Excessive screen time was significantly associated with poor sleep quality, increased emotional and behavioral problems, reduced physical activity, and lower academic achievement. The findings emphasize the need for awareness programs, parental guidance, and school-based interventions to promote healthy screen use habits among adolescents.