ArticleBMC pediatrics2026
Associations between time spent with digital media and body image among European adolescents.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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14 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundExternal factors, including digital media (DM), promote body ideals that can shape adolescents' body image, but studies across European countries are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the relationship between daily DM duration and body image dissatisfaction (BID) in adolescents from nine European countries.
methodsParticipants from the I.Family study self-reported daily DM duration and BID in 2013/2014 (n = 3,608; 51% female; mean age 13.6 years (standard deviation: 1.1). DM duration was measured in hours/day, including television viewing (TV), computer/game console (PC), smartphone, and internet use. Linear regression models were used to examine associations of self-reported DM duration with BID and unstandardised regression coefficients were reported. Daily time spent with these technologies was categorised into < 1, 1-2, and ≥ 2 h, and underlying patterns of DM use were identified using latent class analyses. Furthermore, the interaction term between family environment and DM was included in the latent class analyses.
resultsIncreasing daily DM duration, particularly for smartphone (adjusted β = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.31, 0.57) and internet (adjusted β = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.50), was associated with higher BID in all adolescents. Associations were more pronounced in underweight, normal weight, and female participants. Adolescents with high internet and smartphone duration in combination with medium/low TV/PC duration showed higher positive associations with BID score compared to those with low duration of all DM types (adjusted β = 1.24, 95%CI: 0.73, 1.74). A positive family environment attenuated the association in adolescents with high internet/smartphone and medium/low TV/PC duration.
conclusionThe results highlight a positive association between longer daily DM duration and BID in adolescents, especially for internet-enabled media. A positive family environment seems to play a role in this association and should be further investigated in future research. Additionally, understanding the potential mechanisms explaining these associations can inform future interventions promoting healthy body image in adolescents.
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