Beyond Screen Time: Exploring Mobile Phone Overuse, Adolescent Behaviour, Sleep and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

Mobile phones are an integral part of adolescent life, supporting learning, communication, entertainment and social interaction. This article examines when recreational phone use may become problematic and its reported links with behaviour, sleep, attention, academic performance and psychological well-being. The analysis draws on a mixed-methods study involving 300 participants 150 adolescents and 150 parents interviews with 10 family therapists, and a six-month follow-up of 50 families. Adolescents reported an average of 5.7 hours of recreational phone use daily, with 34% using phones for six or more hours. Nearly 48% used phones after midnight at least three nights a week, and 76% checked them within five minutes of waking. Among heavy users, 78% reported irritability when separated from their phones, 82% stayed awake after midnight and 54% missed meals because of phone use. Higher depression and anxiety screening scores and weaker academic outcomes were also reported among heavy users. Night-time use was associated with next-day family conflict (OR = 4.2), with sleep duration accounting for 62% of the reported association. The findings support balanced digital routines, sufficient sleep, parental modelling and meaningful offline activities rather than focusing only on reducing screen time.