Is Social Media Making Children More Depressed? UCSF Research Suggests a Link

Higher social media usage could be linked to increased rates of depression among young adolescents, according to a new study published Wednesday by researchers at UCSF.

The nationwide study, which tracked the cognitive development of nearly 12,000 children and adolescents over the course of a few years, found that their social media use rose significantly between the ages of 9 and 13. Depressive symptoms likewise increased in these children by more than 30% during the same time period, with the study suggesting that the two may be related.

“If an individual teen increased their social media use from year to year, that increase was associated with a subsequent rise in depression,” said Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician at UCSF and the study’s lead author.

Higher levels of depression, however, do not necessarily predict an increase in future social media usage, suggesting that the link between the two exists in only one direction, Nagata said.

As social media use among young people becomes more widespread, some health experts have already begun sounding alarm bells. In 2023, then-U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a public advisory on the potential risks associated with frequent social media usage, particularly for adolescents and their mental health.

However, while Murthy’s warning urged parents to monitor their children’s social media presence and to teach them about safe boundaries and moderate consumption, it did not include exact guidance on good practice nor an overview of what the long-term consequences of excessive social media use are.

According to Nagata, there are a lot of variables involved when it comes to assessing how healthy or unhealthy one’s social media use is.

“Social media is not inherently bad or good. There are some risks and there are some benefits,” Nagata said.

The ability to connect and communicate, which many teens and younger children find in social media, can be beneficial for their development, Nagata said. It’s when the more negative effects of social media arise that people should pause and consider whether it’s worth it to them, he said.

While the study conducted by Nagata and his team does not provide a specific explanation for why depression has a positive correlation with increased social media use, they pointed to a variety of potential factors.

Sleep deprivation, the proliferation of content that glamorizes disordered eating, and cyberbullying can all contribute to worsening mental health among young people, Nagata noted. Another study published this week by Nagata and his team, for example, found that cyberbullied tweens were nearly three times more likely to report having suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Researchers in the study also found that social media use can actually be addictive, and that excessive consumption of it can adversely affect children’s daily functioning and their in-person relationships. Many apps have built-in algorithms and notification systems that are intended to keep people hooked, and young people can be particularly susceptible, Nagata said.

“Social media and some of these devices can be used in ways that are actually harmful for adolescents,” said Nagata, whose clinical practice focuses on adolescents with eating disorders. “Particularly for those with mental health conditions, it can even worsen them.”

He urged concerned parents to think about limiting their children’s access to social media — especially before bedtime — and to model healthy screen usage in their homes. For younger children, more restrictions could also prove beneficial as the effects of social media on their mental health seemed especially pronounced, he added.

There is no “one size fits all” solution, Nagata said, adding that parents should have open discussions with their children to find a social media strategy that works for their family.

KQED’s Sara Hossaini contributed to this report.