Social media's role in young people's mental health still unclear
A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics reveals a slight but significant link between social media use and anxiety and depression in adolescents, but it remains unclear if social media is causing the youth mental health crisis.Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Stellenbosch (US) caution against drawing definitive conclusions about this connection.
The study reviewed 143 studies involving over one million adolescents between 2007 and 2023, focusing on social media usage (time spent, type of use, content, user perception) and internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression). Researchers highlight that one in five children and adolescents globally suffer from mental health conditions, primarily anxiety or depression, and there is growing concern about social media's impact, given its ubiquity among 97% of young people.
Research gap
Most research has focused on the general adolescent population, neglecting clinical groups diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or related disorders.
Dr. Douglas Parry from the US notes a significant research gap in clinical populations, which limits the applicability of current studies and hinders the ability to evaluate social media's impact on both clinical and general populations.
The study found that only 11% of the reviewed research examined clinical groups, while 88% focused on the general population. Adolescents with clinical-level anxiety and depression often experience greater social withdrawal, sleep problems, low self-esteem, susceptibility to peer influence, and excessive overthinking. These factors may affect their interaction with social media and its impact on their mental health, yet there is insufficient research on this group.
Variability
The researchers highlight moderate to high variability in studies examining social media's influence on adolescent mental health, indicating a lack of clarity. They caution against generalizing findings from the general population to those with mental health conditions, emphasizing the potential implications for clinical practice and policy.
More research on clinical groups could improve patient consultations and family education, and integrate social media management into treatment plans. For policymakers, such research could inform policies for safer social media platforms and guide financial allocations to mental health programs for vulnerable adolescents. The researchers stress the importance of designing prevention programs, interventions, and regulations that consider the most vulnerable populations in an increasingly digital world.