Teenagers who spend time alone in their bedrooms could be more prone to feeling threatened, research suggested. Scientists at the University of Cambridge said a new study found people in their late teens had an increased sensitivity to threats after a few hours in a room alone.

People in their late teens experience an increased sensitivity to threats after just a few hours left in a room on their own—an effect that endures even if they are interacting online with friends and family.

The findings might shed light on the link between loneliness and mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, researchers say.

A new study finds that brief isolation increases threat sensitivity in teens, even if they remain connected online.