A major new study has found that teenagers who report addictive patterns of using social media, mobile phones, or video games are at up to triple the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to their peers, reigniting ongoing debate about the mental health impacts of digital technology. The research, published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), is among the first to track young people over several years, specifically examining the relationship between compulsive screen use and suicidality rather than looking only at overall time spent online (The Guardian, NPR, The New York Times, Neuroscience News).
For Thai parents, educators, and health professionals increasingly worried about rising rates of digital addiction and mental distress in youth, the findings raise urgent questions about how to balance children’s digital engagement with their wellbeing and safety.
Digital dependency has been a contentious topic in Thai society, with many families and schools grappling with the growth of smartphone and social media use among adolescents. In a culture known for its emphasis on close-knit relationships, family ties, and deference to elders, the transformation of social interaction via technology brings both opportunities and deep concerns. Experts underline the need to focus less on arbitrary screen-time limits and more on identifying and addressing truly addictive and compulsive online behaviors.
The landmark study followed a large cohort of more than 4,000 children, beginning just before adolescence (around age 10), conducting regular screenings over four years to assess both digital habits and mental health. Researchers looked explicitly for patterns of “addictive use”—defined as compulsive, uncontrollable engagement with screens, marked by failed attempts to cut back, irritability when unable to access devices, and interference with daily life, sleep, and relationships. By year four, nearly 18% of participants reported having suicidal thoughts, while 5% disclosed suicidal behaviors such as attempts or self-harm (NewsNation).
Significantly, the study found that addictive use—rather than overall time spent— was the strongest predictor of suicidality in youth. Children whose digital use was classified as the most compulsive were between two and three times more likely to report suicidal ideation or behavior. In contrast, those with high but non-addictive use showed no increased risk.
“Children and teens who find themselves unable to control their use of social media, games, or mobile phones are the ones most at risk,” said one of the principal study authors, a clinical psychologist and lead researcher affiliated with a major U.S. university, as quoted in The New York Times. “It’s not about the hours; it’s about whether it’s interfering with their life, mood, relationships, and ability to function.”
This distinction is vital for the Thai context, where strict rules about device usage and “digital detox” initiatives are sometimes emphasized in both public discourse and private homes. Researchers say the findings suggest that more nuanced, supportive strategies— helping youths identify unhealthy patterns and understand the signs of digital addiction—may be more effective than zero-tolerance bans or blanket screen time restrictions.
Past research has painted a complicated picture of digital media’s role in youth wellbeing. A wide body of evidence finds that moderate screen use, including social connection, creativity, and relaxation online, can offer benefits for mental health and resilience (Wikipedia). Yet, problematic or addictive use—often linked to underlying psychological struggles—can exacerbate loneliness, anxiety, and depression. The latest study’s longitudinal design strengthens the case for focusing on addiction-like behaviors, something many previous investigations have failed to distinguish.
“Digital media overuse is not currently a recognized psychiatric diagnosis in most major manuals, though the World Health Organization now includes ‘gaming disorder’ in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11),” notes a leading child psychiatrist at a prominent Thai hospital. “But from a public health perspective, there’s an urgent need to address not just the platforms, but the very real suffering behind compulsive use among adolescents. Families often notice personality changes—withdrawal, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, declining grades—and need clear guidance on what to do.”
In Thailand, this struggle is reflected in growing numbers seeking counseling for digital dependency. According to the Mental Health Department under the Public Health Ministry, consultations related to internet and gaming addiction among Thai teens have risen significantly since the pandemic, with reported cases tripling from pre-COVID levels. “Most cases involve concurrent symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or family conflict,” remarked a senior official from the Mental Health Department. “What’s most worrying is the isolation and hopelessness reported by teens who feel trapped by their digital habits—and, as this research shows, this demographic faces a much higher risk of self-harm or suicide.”
Historical factors may further complicate the picture for Thai youth. The nation ranks among the world’s top users of social media per capita, with platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Line deeply embedded in daily life, especially among students navigating pressure to succeed within an exam-driven education system and a culture that still rarely discusses mental health openly. For many adolescents, digital communities offer a critical source of self-expression and peer support, but addiction often turns connection into dependence, fueling cycles of online escape instead of real-world coping.
International experts emphasize that while addictive digital use is a global phenomenon, cultural context shapes how it manifests and is addressed. In nations like Thailand, where parental expectations and the value placed on academic achievement run high, screen addiction can emerge as both a source of stress and an attempted means of relief. Understanding what drives young people to compulsive online behavior—whether social isolation, bullying, academic anxiety, or struggles with identity—remains essential for designing effective prevention and support programs.
Looking ahead, the implications of the study are clear and urgent. As rates of adolescent mental distress and suicide rise worldwide—including in Southeast Asia—the importance of moving beyond generic “screen panic” to targeted, science-based interventions becomes ever more apparent. Digital literacy initiatives, which teach critical thinking about algorithms, clickbait, and the ups and downs of online life, are gradually being piloted in several Bangkok schools and are recommended for wider-scale adoption.
Health professionals urge that parents and educators look for “red flag” signs of harmful engagement: inability to cut back despite repeated efforts, dramatic mood changes linked to device withdrawal, secrecy about online activity, disturbances in sleep or eating, withdrawal from friends or family, and declining school performance. Open communication, nonjudgmental support, and access to professional counseling are all key tools in safeguarding youth.
As Laotian-British psychiatrist and mental health advocate, Dr. Samai, commented in an interview with the BBC, “We need to support young people in finding balance and developing healthy relationships with technology. That means nurturing their offline lives as carefully as we negotiate their online ones.”
For Thai society, the task is not to demonize digital platforms—many of which form the backbone of modern life and learning— but to reduce harm and promote safe, positive engagement. Policymakers, schools, and parents can work together to develop resources, set family media plans, and ensure mental health services are available to those most at risk.
Practical recommendations for Thai families include holding regular family check-ins on digital wellbeing, agreeing on screen-free times (such as meals and before bedtime), teaching stress management skills, modeling balanced screen use as adults, and seeking help from counselors or health professionals when warning signs emerge. Schools can incorporate digital wellness education into homeroom curricula and provide drop-in services for students facing emotional or addictive struggles.
At the end of the day, understanding the difference between simple enjoyment and dangerous dependence will be crucial for the next generation’s mental health.
For those in crisis or seeking advice, the Department of Mental Health’s 1323 hotline and the Samaritans of Thailand provide free, confidential support nationwide.
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