In 2025, Anam Farzand and a team from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin reviewed how food ads push junk food high in fat, sugar, and salt, influencing people to eat more unhealthy stuff. They looked at studies showing kids see 4,000 food ads a year, making them crave sweets and snacks, while low-income groups face 80% of ads for bad foods, leading to weight gain and health problems.

A 2024 systematic review in BMC Public Health found that children with higher screen use were more likely to develop depressive symptoms later, especially between ages 9 to 12—or teens who spend much time on screens showing increased depression, anxiety, inattention, and aggression.