Exploring how online activities affect youth mental health
Official title: Online and offline multiverse spillover: Mapping the ecology of youth mental health
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11046288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how teenagers' use of social media affects their mental health, especially for those who identify as LGBTQ+, to find ways to help them have a healthier online experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $700,708 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH135504-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adolescents, particularly those who are active on social media and may identify as sexual and/or gender minorities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not engage with online platforms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between adolescents' online engagement, such as social media use, and their mental health outcomes. It aims to understand both the positive and negative effects of online interactions, particularly for youth who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities. By using innovative methods to passively assess online behaviors and mental health indicators, the study seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of how these factors influence each other in real-time. The goal is to identify potential interventions that can support youth in navigating their online environments effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health interventions tailored for adolescents based on their online experiences.
How similar studies have gone: While there is some existing research on the effects of online engagement on mental health, this study's approach is innovative and aims to fill gaps in understanding through real-time data collection.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lynne, Sarah Delphia — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Lynne, Sarah Delphia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.