Does Social Media Impact Adolescent Mental Health?

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Mental Health
• Interventions: Behavioral: Restricted Social Media

• Registration Number: NCT06049888
• Lead Sponsor: Georgetown University

Brief Summary

The mental health of adolescents in the United States has seen a steep decline since 2011, 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 11-14-year-olds to examine whether, how, and for whom social media harms mental health.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-08-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-09-16
• Study First Posted: 2023-09-22
• Study Start: 2024-06-15
• Status Verified: 2024-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-12
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-14
• Primary Completion: 2027-07
• Study Completion: 2027-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 500

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Restricted Social Media	Restricted Social Media	Participants will have social media apps on their phones blocked for three months.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25): Total Score	Baseline, three months, and six months	The average score varies between 0 and 4, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25): Anxiety Subscale	Baseline, three months, and six months	The average score varies between 0 and 4, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.
Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25): Depression Subscale	Baseline, three months, and six months	The average score varies between 0 and 4, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Georgetown University; 🇺🇸 Washington, District of Columbia, United States