A study led by a researcher from Rutgers University and published in JMIR Aging suggests that compulsive smartphone use among older adults may be associated with a higher risk of depression.
The researchers emphasize that smartphones themselves are not inherently harmful. Their impact on mental health depends largely on how they are used. The key distinction lies between active social engagement and passive, compulsive screen use.
The study included 2,585 adults aged 60 and older living in 87 communities across five districts of Guangzhou, China. Participants reported their smartphone usage habits, levels of social interaction, and participation in offline social activities. Demographic and medical information was also collected.
To identify the factors most strongly associated with depression, the researchers used machine learning techniques. One of the strongest predictors was low social engagement, followed by compulsive smartphone use, defined as excessive use that interferes with everyday life.
Older adults who rarely used smartphones for active communication—such as phone calls, video calls, and messaging—but instead spent large amounts of time passively consuming content through videos, social media feeds, and games were found to be particularly vulnerable. This pattern of behavior was associated with increased social isolation.
According to one of the study's authors, Chien-Chun Huang, smartphones can serve two very different roles: they can either help people stay connected with family and friends or become a means of escaping reality and withdrawing from social life.
The study also identified two groups at particularly high risk. The first consisted of older men with lower levels of education and limited digital literacy. For these individuals, the complexity of modern smartphone applications may encourage passive smartphone use, reducing opportunities for meaningful social interaction.
The second group included older adults with higher income and educational attainment who also exhibited signs of smartphone dependence. This finding suggests that access to technology and higher socioeconomic status do not necessarily protect against loneliness if digital behavior replaces face-to-face social connections.
The authors stress that the study does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Depression may be worsened by compulsive smartphone use, but it may also lead individuals to spend more time on their phones. The relationship is likely bidirectional, with each factor reinforcing the other.
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