Does Social Media Impact Adolescent Mental Health?

Launched by GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · Sep 16, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how social media might affect the mental health of young people, specifically adolescents aged 10 to 14 years. Since 2011, there has been a noticeable decline in the mental well-being of teenagers in the United States, which seems to correlate with the rise of social media and smartphones. The researchers want to find out if social media is truly harmful to adolescents' mental health or if the concerns about it are exaggerated. To do this, they will conduct an experiment with young teens who are getting their first smartphones.

To participate, eligible adolescents need to be between 10 and 14 years old and have parents who are willing to allow them to join the study. The teens also need to be able to read and understand English to complete surveys. However, those with severe developmental issues or a history of serious mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts, cannot take part in the study. If selected to join, participants can expect to be involved in activities that help researchers gather information on how social media impacts their mental health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. is an adolescent who is between the ages of 10 and 14;
• • 2. is an adolescent whose parents have decided to buy them their first smartphone;
• • 3. is an adolescent both of whose parents/guardians consent for them to be in the study;
• • 4. is an adolescent who assents to be in the study; 5) is an adolescent who speaks and reads English sufficiently to complete surveys and provide informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. is an adolescent who has severe developmental problems (e.g., autism, severe language delay);
• • 2. is an adolescent who is currently or has ever been diagnosed with severe or moderately severe mental illness;
• • 3. is an adolescent who is currently or has ever experienced suicidal ideation.