<p>The contentious temporal sequence between mental health and mobile phone addiction (MPA) in existing literature stems from previous methodologies’ limited granularity in addressing the intricate relationships between specific nodes. Using cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) analysis, we mapped the predictive relationship between specific mental health nodes and MPA, based on longitudinal data from 984 college students at Chinese public universities assessed at three time points. CLPN provides finer-grained insights by capturing the dynamic interactive relationships between mental health (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress) and MPA, offering a more detailed perspective than traditional methods. Results indicated that mental health issues were precursors to MPA, not vice versa. Three stress nodes (life-affected persistence, wrist/neck pain, and excessive duration notification) were primary contributors to MPA. The predictive power of stress and anxiety on MPA intensified over time. The study innovatively uses CLPN analysis to reveal internal differences and dynamic relationships between mental health and various dimensions of MPA. These findings emphasize the importance of early psychological interventions, particularly through targeted therapeutic strategies such as reflecting on smartphone disengagement, digital detox, and social support, to reduce the risk of smartphone addiction. This expands existing research, which has focused on single indicators and static views, highlighting the need for more targeted interventions for college students’ psychological stress.</p>