Use of social networks by adolescents related to the internalization of behaviors

A new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report strong internalizing behaviors than teens who do not use social media at all.

The study, published online September 11 in JAMA Psychiatry, examined the time spent by adolescents reporting social media spending and two types of behaviors that can be indicators of mental health problems: internalization and outsourcing. Internalization can involve social withdrawal, difficulties in managing anxiety or depression or directing feelings towards the inside. Outsourcing can include aggression, act, disobedience or other observable behaviors.

The study found that the use of social media for an indefinite period was associated with a higher risk of reporting internalization problems and simultaneous symptoms of internalization and outsourcing problems. The study did not reveal any significant associations with the use of social media and the problems of outsourcing alone. Adolescents who spent at least three hours a day on social media were more likely to report internalizing problems alone.

"Many existing studies have linked the use of digital or social media to adolescent health, but few people see it as an association over time," says lead author Kira Riehm. MSc, PhD student at the Mental Health Department of Bloomberg School. "Our study shows that teens who report a lot of time spent on social media are more likely to report problems with internalization a year later, and we can not conclude that social media is causing mental health problems. but we think that less time on social media could be better for teens' health. "

The use of social media in adolescents is widespread. Recent polls have shown that 95% of American teens had access to a smartphone and nearly 75% of them had at least one account on a social network. The use of social media carries risks and health benefits. These platforms often offer ways to communicate with peers, as well as information and resources about the causes that matter to them, but there are risks of cyberbullying and other digital aggression.

For their study, the researchers used a nationally representative sample of US adolescents aged 13 to 17 years of the PATH (Evaluation of the Federally Funded Tobacco and Health Population) study. performed between 2013 and 2016. This study collected data over three years. The analysis covered 6,595 respondents. . Each year, participants were asked how much time they spent on social media, as well as questions about the symptoms of internal and external mental health issues.

The study found that less than 17% of teens did not use social media. Of those who reported using social media, 2,082 or 32% reported spending less than 30 minutes; 2,000, or about 31%, reported spending 30 minutes to three hours; 817 people, or 12%, reported spending three to six hours; and 571, or 8%, reported spending more than six hours a day.

Researchers also found that 611 respondents, or about 9%, reported only internalization problems, while 885, or 14%, reported only outsourcing issues; 1,169, or about 18%, reported experiencing internal and external problems; and 3,930, or about 59%, reported no problems or problems. The study revealed no link between social media use, mental health issues and gender.

"Social media has the ability to connect adolescents who can be excluded in their daily lives.We must find a better way to balance the benefits of social media with negative health consequences," said Riehm . "Setting reasonable limits, improving the design of social media platforms and focusing media education interventions are all ways to find that balance."