Data shows no evidence that use of social networks by teens predicts depression over time – ScienceDaily

This research contrasts with recent claims that the use of social media by teens can lead to depression. These claims are primarily based on studies examining the badociations between average social media usage and average well-being measured at a given point in time.

"One must follow the same people over time to draw the conclusion that the use of social media predicts greater depressive symptoms," said lead author, Taylor Heffer, of the University Brock. "Using two large longitudinal samples, we have been able to empirically test this hypothesis."

Beginning in 2017, Heffer and his co-authors surveyed grade 6, 7, and 8 students in Ontario, Canada, once a year for two years. The researchers also conducted annual surveys of undergraduate participants, beginning their first year of university over a six-year period.

To measure depressive symptoms, researchers used the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiological Studies for Young Adults and an age-appropriate version of the same scale for adolescents. All participants answered two questions about the average number of hours each day spent on social media: one measuring weekday and one weekend. Participants also answered questions about screen time, such as watching TV, and non-screen activities such as homework and exercise.

Heffer and his colleagues badyzed the data separately for each age group and gender.

The results showed that the use of social media did not predict future depressive symptoms in adolescents or undergraduates. More depressive symptoms predicted greater use of social media over time, but only among adolescents.

"This is in contrast to the idea that people who use a lot of social media are becoming more and more depressed. Depressed teens can turn to social media to try to feel better, "says Heffer.

Overall, research suggests that fear surrounding the use of social media and its impact on mental health may be premature.

"When parents read headlines such as" Facebook Depression, "there is an implicit badumption that the use of social media leads to depression. </ P> <p> Policy makers recently debated ways to combat the effects of social media. use of social media on mental health, "said Heffer.

To badess whether fears about social media impacts have merit, prospective longitudinal studies allow researchers to determine whether it is the use of social media that predicts depressive symptoms (rather than l?)? inverse), while controlling for other potential influences. As noted by Heffer and colleagues, individual differences in personality, motivation and current well-being are likely to play a crucial role in the relationship between media use and future well-being.

"There can be different groups of people using social media for different reasons," says Heffer. "For example, a group of people can use social media to make social comparisons or turn to them when they feel depressed, while another group of people can use them for more positive reasons. , such as staying in touch with friends. "

Examining the role these differences play will help clarify how social media interacts with mental health, with implications for parents, policy makers, and health professionals.