To evaluate association between screen time (ST) on cell phone (CP), stress levels (SL), and sleep duration (SD) in adolescents.

While there is significant evidence in adults about the association of higher ST with reduced sleep quality and duration, and increase in SL, similar studies in school-aged children are lacking.

This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with high school students in Wake County, North Carolina from February to June 2025. The Chi Square test, ANOVA, and multiple regression using Python was used for statistical analysis.

SL showed statistically significant association with ST (p 0.0033) and symptoms caused by excessive screen use (p 0.0010).  ST showed statistically significant association with age (p 0.0015), gender (p 0.0030), grade (p 0.0001), use in bed (p 0.0000), and ST limits (p 0.0123). There was a statistically significant association between SD and age (p 0.0008), grade (p 0.0027), ST limits (p 0.0011), perception of CP use on focus (p 0.0971), and CP use symptoms (0.0900).

Multiple regression analysis for SD showed SL was a significant negative predictor (β = –11.64, p = .002), and ST showed a marginal negative effect (β = –9.03, p = .088). Similar analysis for SL showed ST (β = 0.15, p = .022) and ST limits (β = 0.46, p = .009) showed positive association, while SD (β = –0.008, p = .012), and positive opinion about CP use (β = –0.48, p = .039) showed negative association. Male gender was protective against stress (β = –0.28, p = .029).

This study demonstrates that a significant association between screen time and stress levels among students might be mediated through reduced sleep duration. Future research should incorporate screen time and sleep duration while considering interventional approaches involving students, parents, and schools to promote healthier screen habits and reduce stress.