About this resource

This report, by Black Dog Institute, contributes new evidence demonstrating the complex relationship between adolescent screen use and mental health.

The data presented were collected in 2023 from 3,734 Australian adolescents participating in the Black Dog Institute’s Future Proofing Study.

Findings are presented across 3 broad areas: (1) the amount of time adolescents spend using screens each day, (2) the types of activities adolescents are engaged with while they are using screens, and (3) the relationships between different screen-based activities and adolescent mental health. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of other research about screen use and mental health, and a range of recommendations for parents and carers, schools, and policymakers are provided.