In January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg found himself before Congress, addressing concerns about social media’s impact on children. Zuckerberg claimed, “The existing body of scientific work has not shown a causal link between using social media and young people having worse mental health.”
However, this assertion is contested by numerous social scientists. Recent studies have begun to reveal a causal connection between teenage social media engagement and a decline in mental health, particularly in the form of depression and anxiety.
One notable study, highly referenced in discussions about this issue, specifically investigated Facebook’s role. It scrutinized how Facebook’s spread across college campuses in the early 2000s might have increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Alexey Makarin, an MIT economist and co-author of the study, published in the American Economic Review in November 2022, stated, “There is still a lot to be explored,” but stressed the evidence against Zuckerberg’s claim is strong.
This growing concern stems from data showing nearly universal social media use among teenagers, with two-thirds on TikTok and about 60% using Instagram or Snapchat, according to a 2022 survey. In contrast, only 30% reported using Facebook. The survey also found significant gender differences in usage time, with girls averaging around 3.4 hours daily on these platforms, compared to boys’ 2.1 hours. Concurrently, there’s been an uptick in depression signs among teenagers, especially girls.
As the correlation between social media use and mental health issues becomes clearer, researchers are probing into the mechanisms behind this relationship. Questions arise about why social media impacts mental health and why these effects vary among different demographic groups.
Scott Cunningham, an economist at Baylor University, emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics for effective public policy.
Initial studies largely provided correlational data, which did not definitively prove that social media usage directly harms mental health. For instance, a notable study by psychologists Amy Orben and Andrew Przybylski combined data from three surveys but only found a minor impact of digital technology on adolescent well-being, comparable to mundane activities like drinking milk.
However, more rigorous recent studies, including longitudinal research by Orben and Przybylski, have started to show more specific impacts on well-being during crucial developmental stages, supporting the notion that the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex.
To directly examine causation, researchers like Makarin have turned to natural experiments, such as studying the phased rollout of Facebook across college campuses. This approach provided strong evidence linking Facebook use to increased anxiety and depression rates.
The challenge now is to adapt to the rapidly changing social media landscape, which has evolved significantly from the days of Facebook’s introduction. Current platforms are designed to be highly engaging, potentially exacerbating mental health impacts.
Research focus is also shifting towards younger demographics, recognizing the need to understand social media’s effects on high school students and younger. This includes examining the nuances of social media use, beyond simple user comparisons, and investigating the reasons behind its impact on mental health.
Projects like the SMART Schools initiative at the University of Birmingham are pioneering this approach, combining natural experiments with qualitative research to gain insights into the direct experiences of students, parents, and educators.
As the pace of social media evolution outstrips research efforts, the quest for definitive guidance on managing its impact continues. Researchers like Victoria Goodyear are striving to bridge this gap, though concrete advice remains on the horizon.
