Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Relation to the Use of Digital Technologies: Longitudinal Cohort Study

Abstract

The mental health of this large sample of adolescents from London deteriorated during the pandemic without noticeable variations relating to public health measures. The deterioration was exacerbated in girls, those with preexisting high total mobile phone use, and those with preexisting disrupted sleep. Our findings suggest the necessity for allocating resources to address these modifiable factors and target high-risk groups.