Do Smartphones Actually Boost Teen Moods? New Study Adds Nuance to the Debate
The Smartphone Mood Lift: What the Research Found
A new study of 253 U.S. teens (ages 12-17) suggests something surprising: smartphone use may slightly improve their moods—at least in the short term.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent participants 30 real-time surveys over six days, asking:
✔ Were you using your phone when this text arrived?
✔ Rate your mood right now (1-7 scale).
✔ What was your mood right before using your phone?
Key Finding:
- On average, teens reported their mood improving from ~4.9 to ~5.5 after phone use.
- This suggests many use smartphones as a quick mood booster—similar to how others might listen to music or chat with friends.
“Phones are neither good nor bad. It’s about how they’re used.”
— Matt Minich, lead researcher
The Bigger Debate: Are Smartphones Harming Teens?
The “Smartphones Cause a Mental Health Crisis” Camp
🔴 Jonathan Haidt (NYU) argues that social media + smartphones contribute to:
- Rising teen depression & anxiety
- Sleep disruption
- Social skill deficits
The “Evidence Is Overblown” Camp
🟢 Pete Etchells (Bath Spa University) counters:
- Most studies rely on recalled feelings (unreliable)
- Correlation ≠ causation
- This new real-time data complicates alarmist claims
What This Study Adds
- First to track momentary mood changes (not just memories).
- Shows phones can help teens regulate emotions.
- But researchers warn: Over-reliance could become unhealthy.
Limitations & Unanswered Questions
What We Still Don’t Know
❓ Which activities help most? (Texting? Games? Social media?)
❓ How long does the mood lift last?
❓ Could frequent use reduce resilience?
Criticisms of the Study
- Small sample (only 253 teens).
- Self-reported moods (not objective measures).
- No long-term tracking (are effects sustained?).
Practical Takeaways for Parents & Teens
If Phones Can Improve Mood, Should Limits Exist?
✅ Balance is key – Occasional use for a mood boost ≠ addiction.
🚩 Watch for red flags – If phones replace all coping skills, intervene.
💡 Teach alternatives – Exercise, hobbies, and face-to-face time matter too.
What Experts Recommend
- Avoid demonizing phones (they’re tools, not villains).
- Encourage mindful use (ask: “Did that scroll session help or hurt my mood?”).
- Model healthy habits (parents’ phone use affects kids’ behavior).
The Bottom Line
This study doesn’t prove smartphones are “good”—but it challenges the idea they’re inherently harmful. Like any tool, impact depends on how they’re used.
“The question isn’t ‘Should teens have phones?’ It’s ‘How can we help them use phones in ways that support—not undermine—well-being?’”