What if those glowing rectangles are quietly shaping our brains instead of connecting us?
Lately, everyone talks about how many more children take medication for attention or mood struggles.
Behind that hum from phones and tablets lies a hidden factor driving up prescription rates.
Look at Ontario, after 2015, ADHD ((Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) drug prescriptions rose 157 percent by 2023, jumping from 275 to 708 per 100,000 people.
Once the pandemic hit, they climbed another 29 percent each year, helped along by easier online doctor visits.
Among teenagers and youth, antidepressant use grew even sharper after lockdowns, especially among females, their numbers rising 63.5 percent faster than before.
Still, could there be more beneath the surface when every moment feels wired yet somehow disconnected?
Kids born late in the school year often seem more restless.
Being among the youngest raises chances they are labeled with ADHD since acting young can mimic disorder signs.
A broad look at over three hundred research papers from 2021 shows many such cases may be misread.
Diagnoses in adults have surged too, stretching services thin ahead of 2025.
Medicines clearly help those with strong symptoms, school results improve, accidents drop.
Yet for subtler situations, lasting benefits remain unclear while some face poor sleep, reduced hunger, slower physical development.
What happens when young ones face lots of screens early?
A look at over ten thousand children hints that those glued to devices at age nine or ten often struggle more with focus by twelve.
Changes in the brain, like a thinner outer layer, might play a role in this shift.
Spending too much time staring at displays nearly doubles the chance of attention issues later.
Yet, it is not so simple. Kids already prone to distraction might seek out screens just as much.
Other factors such as poor rest or anxious feelings twist the picture even more.
When lockdowns hit, screen hours climbed fast, making clear answers harder to find.
Doctors suggest taking a close look at daily routines long before reaching for prescriptions.
Trends at a Glance
ADHD medication prescriptions have increased dramatically since 2015.
Ontario experienced a 157 percent surge in ADHD stimulant prescriptions by 2023, yet supply shortages have persisted, with nearly three out of ten months each year facing medication gaps after 2020.
Since the pandemic, antidepressant use among young people has climbed sharply, increasing 63.5 percent faster than pre-pandemic rates.
Teenage girls have driven much of this change, with their usage jumping 129 percent and pulling the overall numbers higher.
When stimulant supplies ran short, prescriptions for nonstimulants rose sharply.
Insurance records show a climb between 2019 and 2023, with atomoxetine becoming an alternative treatment path for many patients.
Research from the ABCD study examining 10,000 children shows early signs linking screen use to symptom decline and brain differences.
While medications can improve focus and stability, supply gaps since 2022 have forced changes, with fewer Adderall prescriptions being dispensed.
However, missing a diagnosis can have serious consequences, disrupting school performance and derailing development.
For milder cases, adjusting daily habits or classroom environments may be effective while avoiding medication side effects.
Recommendations include:
- Limiting screen time to two hours per day for children
- Prioritizing adequate sleep and physical activity
- Watching for signs of stress or emotional difficulties
The causes may involve brain wiring differences, daily habits, or a combination of both factors working together.
Sources
Ontario 157% Rise in ADHD Stimulant Prescriptions (JAMA Network Open, 2025): SickKids Research
ABCD Study: Screen Time and ADHD Symptoms (Translational Psychiatry, 2025): Nature Article
ADHD Overdiagnosis Review (334 Studies; JAMA Network Open, 2021): Full Study
Rising ADHD Diagnoses Spark Debate (Globe and Mail, 2025): Article Link
63.5% Antidepressant Spike in Adolescents Post-COVID (Psychiatry Advisor): Study Report
US ADHD Stimulant Shortages Update (AJMC, 2024): Analysis
