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Does Social Media Impact Adolescent Mental Health?

Causal Effects of Exposure to Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

Who can join

Ages 10 to 14 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

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.

About the study

The mental health of adolescents in the United States has seen a steep decline, roughly coinciding with the increasing popularity of social media and smartphones. But does social media have a causal impact on the mental health of adolescents or are concerns about the effect of social media on kids a form of public hysteria? In this study, the investigators will conduct the first field experiment in 10-14-year-olds to examine whether, how, and for whom social media harms mental health.

What is being tested

• Restricted Social Media (behavioral)

Sponsor: Georgetown University · Participants: 500 · Started: Sep 29, 2024

Contact the study team

• Kostadin Kushlev, PhD · Phone: 804-585-4385

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06049888

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Depression
• Anxiety

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.