As social media use among preteens rises, so do their depressive symptoms, according to a new study from UC San Francisco. This research sheds new light on the mental health risks of digital engagement among youth.
As youth depression and suicide rates rise alarmingly, a new study by researchers at UC San Francisco sheds light on the substantial role social media plays in contributing to these mental health issues. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, reveal that increased social media use among preteens correlates with higher depressive symptoms over time.
The research team, led by Jason Nagata, an associate professor in UCSF’s Department of Pediatrics, explored this link by tracking nearly 12,000 children aged 9 to 10, and then again at 12 to 13 years old.
This rigorous three-year study is among the first to analyze within-person longitudinal data to assess the connection accurately.
“There has been ongoing debate about whether social media contributes to depression or simply reflects underlying depressive symptoms,” Nagata said in a news release. “These findings provide evidence that social media may be contributing to the development of depressive symptoms.”
Key Findings and Implications
On average, preteens’ social media use increased from seven to 73 minutes per day over the course of the study. Concurrently, depressive symptoms in the cohort rose by 35%.
Notably, the study determined that while heightened social media engagement drove an increase in depressive symptoms, the reverse was not true — existing depressive symptoms did not result in higher social media use.
While the study did not definitively pinpoint why social media exacerbates depressive symptoms, previous research suggests contributing factors such as cyberbullying and disrupted sleep.
Supporting this, Nagata and his team recently published another study in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, revealing that children between the ages of 11 and 12 who experienced cyberbullying were 2.62 times more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide one year later. They were also more likely to experiment with substances like marijuana (4.65 times more likely), nicotine (3.37 times ) and alcohol (1.92 times) a year later.
In light of these findings, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends utilizing their Family Media Plan to foster healthier digital habits for both children and their parents.
“As a father of two young kids, I know that simply telling children to ‘get off your phone’ doesn’t really work,” Nagata added. “Parents can lead by example with open, nonjudgmental conversations about screen use. Setting screen-free times for the whole family, such as during meals or before bed, can help build healthier digital habits for everyone, including adults.”