Moderate recreational screen time is associated with fewer psychological symptoms and better recovery after concussion

This article was initially published in the 3/19/26 edition of our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

Limiting screen time after a concussion is common advice, but a recent study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma suggests that, for adolescents, allowing moderate screen time after a concussion may be best for recovery. Researchers João Paulo Lima Santos et al. investigated the effect of recreational screen time on anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents after concussion. 102 adolescents participated in the study, including 62 adolescents with concussion and 40 healthy controls. The researchers assessed participants’ anxiety and depression symptoms in the first ten days after concussion and again at three months after concussion. During the first assessment, participants were also asked how long they spent on screen-based recreational activities in the last week. 

The researchers identified three clusters in screen time use: low (averaging 1.97 hours per day), moderate (averaging 5.22 hours per day), and high (averaging 8.96 hours per day). Concussion  symptom severity was similar across all clusters. At the first assessment, all participants in the concussion group had elevated anxiety and depression symptoms compared to the control group, likely due to their injury. However, at the second assessment, participants in the moderate screen time group no longer had elevated anxiety and depression symptoms. On the other hand, the low screen time group had elevated anxiety, and the high screen time group had elevated depression compared to controls. The moderate screen time group also showed better recovery than the low and high screen time groups. The researchers suggest that recommendations for a “Goldilocks” approach to screen time after concussion may be beneficial for adolescents—not too much, not too little, but just the right amount. 

The researchers propose a few explanations for their findings. Based on previous research, they suggest that excessive screen time may have adverse effects on emotional dysregulation, which could be exacerbated after concussion. Alternatively, they note that excessive screen time may impact sleep, which in turn affects emotional regulation. Conversely, low screen time may limit digital coping mechanisms, such as stress relief or social connection. With the increased stress of concussion, these resources likely serve as an important way to manage anxiety. Limitations of the study include the fact that screen time was self-reported and lacking for many controls, the fact that screen time estimates could span pre- and post-injury periods, and the lack of data on pre-injury psychological symptoms.

Note: International Guidelines recommend no more than one hour per day of screen time in the first 48 hours after a concussion.