Screen Time, Summer Time, and Screen Time Isn’t the Problem—This Is

“I Forgot My Phone Today and I Almost Cried.”

That’s what one high schooler confessed after being forced to go an entire school day without her smartphone. She wasn’t alone—her classmates described feeling anxious, restless, even panicky. It wasn’t just about missing texts or TikTok videos. It was something deeper: discomfort that bore a striking resemblance to withdrawal.

If that sounds extreme, here’s the kicker: nearly 1 in 3 young adults may already be showing signs of smartphone addiction. New research suggests the problem extends beyond screen time—it’s about unmet emotional needs, poor self-regulation, and a growing reliance on digital coping.

So, what does that mean for kids’ mental health in schools? And how can parents, teachers, and counselors break the cycle?

The Study That Got Everyone Talking 📱💥

A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Psychology set out to explore a big question: Does exercise help kids (and adults) resist smartphone addiction? Researchers surveyed 700+ people between ages 18 and 67, examining smartphone use, feelings of deprivation, and physical activity habits.

Some findings were expected, like the fact that younger people and women reported more screen time and more signs of addiction. But the biggest twist? Exercise didn’t reduce smartphone addiction.

Wait, what?

Let’s unpack that.

It’s Not Just About How Much Screen Time—It’s About Why

Researchers didn’t find that working out made people use their phones less or feel less anxious when they were taken away. But here’s where it gets interesting:

• Exercisers showed a weaker link between screen time and addiction.
• Non-exercisers had a much stronger tie between how long they used their phones and how addicted they felt.

In plain English: People who exercised still used their phones, but the way they used them seemed healthier. Think: tracking steps, logging a workout, checking scores. Not endlessly doomscrolling social media.

That difference in how we use screens might be more important than how long we’re on them.

What This Means for Kids (and Why You Should Care)

Today’s kids aren’t just “on their phones all the time.” Many feel uncomfortable—even distressed—without them. That’s not laziness or rebellion. That’s a signal.

📉 Deprivation symptoms—like irritability, anxiety, and restlessness—were common among those with signs of smartphone addiction.

💔 Younger age predicted higher addiction scores and more intense reactions to phone loss.

👩‍🏫 Girls and young women were especially at risk, likely because they use phones more for social connection—a critical emotional need during adolescence.

If a child has trouble focusing in class, feels angry when their phone is taken away, or seems “off” without their device, it may not be about discipline. It might be a cry for connection—or a need for better coping tools.

Rethinking the “Just Limit Screen Time” Advice

Let’s be honest: telling kids to “put the phone down” doesn’t work anymore. This study shows why.

Addiction-like behavior isn’t just about too much time. It’s about what the phone is replacing. When kids feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or bored, screens offer instant relief. But that comes at a cost, especially when schools and parents aren’t addressing the root causes.

So What Can We Do?

Here’s the good news: while exercise alone isn’t a magic bullet, it can change the way kids use technology.

✅ Build habits, not just rules. Instead of saying, “No phones,” help kids plan their day so that screen-free activities (like sports or hobbies) naturally replace some tech use.

✅ Support real-life connection. Clubs, team sports, and in-person hangouts give kids the social interaction they crave, without needing a phone to get it.

✅ Make school a safe space for disconnection. Teachers can offer short mindfulness breaks, encourage face-to-face discussion, and gently reduce dependence on phone-based activities.

✅ Watch for signs of withdrawal. If your child gets upset when they can’t use their phone, don’t just punish—talk. What are they missing? What emotions are they avoiding?

Let’s Talk About It 💬

This study gives us a new lens on an old debate: screen time isn’t the problem—it’s what the screen is standing in for.

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or a school counselor, you play a role in helping kids reconnect with the world beyond their phones.

Let’s spark a real conversation:

• What’s the biggest mental health challenge you see in schools today?
• How can schools better support students’ emotional well-being?
• What’s one insight from this research that changes how you view screen time?

Share this post. Start a discussion. And next time a student seems “addicted” to their phone, ask not just