Teens’ Social Media Overuse Linked to Poor Eating Habits

A Scroll Too Far: How Social Media Shapes Teen Diets

Australian and Chinese researchers sifted through surveys from 222,000 teens across 41 countries, probing their social media habits and what lands on their plates. The verdict? Those glued to their screens are less likely to embrace a wholesome diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The findings, unveiled in Pediatric Research, paint a troubling picture of digital obsession and its dietary fallout.

In recent years, the spotlight has turned to how social media molds teenage behavior. Studies have already tied it to a higher likelihood of picking up cigarettes or vaping. Another layer: each extra hour spent online ramps up depressive symptoms over the next four years.

Now, a team led by Victor Minichiello from Queensland University of Technology has zeroed in on food. They combed through data from 222,865 teens—average age 13.5—spanning 41 nations. Using questionnaires, they gauged how often these kids ate from key food groups: fruits, veggies, sweets, and sugary drinks. Answers ranged across seven tiers, from “never” to “more than once a day.”

Social media use got a closer look too, flagged as “problematic” (read: obsessive) via a tailored scale. Teens were asked if, over the past year, they’d fixated on social media, felt frustrated by limited access, or sidelined other tasks to stay plugged in.

Crunching the numbers with logistic regression—adjusting for gender, age, BMI, and activity levels—the team found a clear trend. Teens hooked on social media were less likely to favor a balanced diet heavy on produce and light on sweets, tipping instead toward junk-food territory.

The researchers don’t call for a total unplug. Social media’s here to stay, they say. The trick is crafting smarter ways to navigate it—future studies could unlock why this link exists and how to nudge teens toward healthier bites amid the digital din.