The more time preteens spend on social media, the more likely they are to experience depression—so says a new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), published in JAMA Network Open.
The study followed nearly 12,000 children aged 9 to 13 over three years. It found that increased social media use predicted a 35% rise in depressive symptoms. Notably, the reverse wasn’t true: a spike in depression didn’t appear to cause more social media use.
FROM 7 MINUTES TO OVER AN HOUR A DAY
Over the course of the study, average daily social media use jumped from just seven minutes to 73 minutes. This steep rise coincided with measurable increases in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest—classic markers of depression.
“There has been ongoing debate about whether social media contributes to depression or simply reflects underlying depressive symptoms,” said Dr. Jason Nagata, the study’s lead author and associate professor in UCSF’s Department of Pediatrics. “These findings provide evidence that social media may be contributing to the development of depressive symptoms.”
CYBERBULLYING AND SLEEP DISRUPTION MAY BE KEY RISKS
Though the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the study builds on earlier research highlighting potential dangers of social media, including cyberbullying and disrupted sleep patterns. In fact, Nagata and his team recently published a related study in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas exploring the mental health toll of cyberbullying in the same group of children.
Their findings were stark: preteens who were cyberbullied were more than 2.6 times more likely to report suicidal ideation or attempts the following year. These same children were also significantly more likely to experiment with drugs—especially marijuana and nicotine.
A DIGITAL CATCH-22 FOR TODAY’S YOUTH
Social media was once considered merely a leisure tool. Now, it has become a primary method of communication for kids and teens. It also serves as a tool for identity-building. That reality presents a catch-22: while it fosters social connections, it also carries increasing mental health risks.
To aid families in navigating this complex terrain, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests its Family Media Plan. This customizable tool assists families in establishing healthier tech boundaries.
ADVICE FOR PARENTS: LEAD BY EXAMPLE
“As a father of two young kids, I know that simply telling children to ‘get off your phone’ doesn’t really work,” said Nagata. “Parents can lead by example with open, nonjudgmental conversations about screen use. Setting screen-free times for the whole family—like during meals or before bed—can help build healthier digital habits for everyone, including adults.”
BOTTOM LINE
This study adds to growing evidence that unregulated and increasing social media use can take a real toll on young minds. While banning screens outright isn’t realistic, more mindful usage—and active parental engagement—could help mitigate some of the mental health risks facing today’s digital natives.
