Does Smartphone Use Increase the Risk for Suicide in Adolescents?
APNA member and upcoming APNA 39th Annual Conference presenter Antonella Graña, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CPNP, is well-informed on the intersection between adolescent smartphone usage and suicide risk, particularly how time spent on social media and symptoms of anxiety and depression have a strong connection.
Graña’s presentation aims to leave attendees with the confidence to initiate conversations about adolescent smartphone use in a supportive and non-confrontational manner, and offer practical strategies to screen, engage, and intervene.
In time for National Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month, Graña seeks to empower fellow psychiatric-mental health nurses to approach these conversations with empathy and evidence, supporting adolescents more effectively in navigating the digital world.
APNA: What experiences led you to focus on the intersection of adolescent smartphone use and mental health?
Graña: This topic is close to my heart. In clinical practice, I’ve met many adolescents who are deeply impacted by their digital lives, whether through anxiety, sleep disruption, or increased social comparison. I’ve also seen how these patterns can escalate into more serious concerns, like depression or suicidal thoughts. What drew me to this intersection was witnessing the disconnect between how often these issues come up in practice and how little structured guidance we have to address them. It felt important to help close that gap.
APNA: In your work with adolescents, have you noticed any patterns or warning signs in digital behavior that tend to correlate with suicide risk?
Graña: If there is a noticeable shift from their baseline, it deserves to be explored. Some signs are:
- Social withdrawal and spending more time alone (especially alongside changes in mood or routine)
- No longer participating in activities they used to enjoy
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
I never dismiss these as normal fluctuations. I ask directly about digital behaviors, including what platforms they use, how they feel during and after scrolling, and whether they have ever posted or seen content that worried them. Being present and asking with curiosity instead of judgment can open the door to early support before a crisis develops.
“We cannot answer a cry for help if we are not listening.”
— Antonella Graña
APNA: How have you approached conversations with teens and families when problematic smartphone use seems to be tied to a risk for suicide?
Graña: I always put the teen at the center of the conversation, because at the end of the day, everyone in the room is there to support them. I work with the teen and their family to identify the core issues and find solutions together. Often, the teen’s goals align with their family’s goals, but they may not yet recognize it or know how to get there. That is where a collaborative, team-based approach becomes powerful.
In my Thursday, October 16, APNA Annual Conference presentation, Smartphone Use Among Adolescents: Implications for Mental Health and PMHNP Practice, I include practical strategies, including evidence-based screening tools that can aid in risk assessment, as well as interventions that maintain trust and open communication with both teens and their families.
APNA: From your perspective, what role does technology play in both increasing risk and offering support for adolescents struggling with suicidal thoughts?
Graña: While social media can increase risks, it also offers resources such as peer support and crisis lines that can be accessed privately and immediately. It is critical for providers to routinely assess how technology is used, incorporating questions about screen time, social media behaviors, and online stressors into mental health evaluations.
“With supportive guidance, clinicians can help adolescents and families build healthier digital habits while connecting them with appropriate tools and interventions.”
— Antonella Graña
APNA: Have you found specific strategies that have helped teens reduce harmful digital use without increasing isolation or distress?
Graña: Collaborative goal-setting, encouraging tech-free time around meals, bedtime, and during family activities, and substitution rather than restriction are all effective strategies. Mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive behavioral strategies can also be effective, helping teens recognize emotional triggers for excessive use and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Maintaining open communication and validating the teen’s feelings about their digital world is crucial. When caregivers and providers approach digital use with curiosity rather than criticism, teens are more likely to reflect honestly on their habits and be open to change. These approaches support gradual shifts toward digital wellness while protecting the adolescent’s social and emotional well-being.
APNA: How do you see the relationship between digital behaviors and suicide risk evolving, and what should psychiatric-mental health nurses be paying closer attention to?
Graña: The relationship between digital behaviors and suicide risk in adolescents is complex. As teens spend more time online, constant exposure to comparison, cyberbullying, and disrupted sleep can deeply affect their emotional well-being. PMH nurses play a key role in recognizing when digital life becomes harmful. When we listen without judgment and include families in the conversation, we can guide teens toward more mindful technology use while also strengthening their support systems.
It is imperative that PMH nurses are provided with concrete tools and language that are both timely and empowering to support the mental health of young people in a digital world.
>>> Get ahead of the conversation and your suicide prevention education with the APNA Suicide Prevention Certificate Program, and then get ready for Graña’s presentation at the APNA 39th Annual Conference!
Published September 2025
Edited for length and clarity.
