New Study: Alarming Rise in Teen Addictions During Wartime

A new study by Prof. Yaniv Efrati from the Faculty of Education at Bar-Ilan University, in collaboration with and funded by the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi), reveals widespread behavioral and substance addictions among Israeli teenagers—Jewish and Arab alike—during the “Iron Swords” war.

The study surveyed over 6,800 teens aged 12–18 and compared different types of addictions, including substance use (cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, cocaine) and behavioral addictions (gambling, social media, gaming, shopping, disordered eating, and sexual behavior).

The findings are deeply concerning:

• 91% of teens reported using social media weekly
• 82% are at high risk of developing an addiction to it—more than double the global average of 35%
• These figures mark a dramatic shift in how addiction is defined and experienced, especially in the digital age

"This is no longer about screen time,” says Prof. Efrati. “This is a way of life."

Key Findings at a Glance:

• Social media tops the list: 91% weekly use, 82% at high risk, vs. 35% globally
• Gaming addiction is rising: 36% at high risk, up from 30% in 2022
• Sexual behavior addiction: 20% at high risk in 2025 vs. 14% post-COVID
• Compulsive eating: 44% at high risk, showing ongoing concern
• Online shopping: 41% at high risk
• Substance use: 7.6% drink alcohol weekly, 2.1% use cannabis at that frequency, representing up to 170,000 teens at risk

Gender Differences:

• Boys: More likely to be addicted to gaming, substance use sexual behavior, and gambling
• Girls: More likely to be addicted to social media, eating, and online shopping
  These trends have remained stable over the past decade.

Social Factors That Matter:

• Religious identity: Jewish teens report higher alcohol use; Muslim teens lead in gaming and disordered eating—often reflecting redirected energy in culturally restricted settings
• Socioeconomic status: The lower the economic status, the higher the addiction risk—especially in gaming and sexual behavior

Prof. Efrati emphasizes the need for updated frameworks:

“Addiction today is a broad spectrum, not just substances but behavior—especially digital behavior. Our public, educational, and health systems must evolve to reflect this shift.”

Regarding sexual behavior, Prof. Efrati explains:

“Teen sexual behavior includes a range of activities, including pornography. In adolescence, without proper guidance, this can easily escalate into unregulated patterns. Boys tend toward pornography, girls toward online relational interactions.”

Policy Implications

These findings must inform tailored prevention strategies—not only by substance but by behavior, gender, culture, and economic background. Addiction is no longer a marginal phenomenon. For many teens, it’s the environment they grow up in.