How daily social media ups and downs shape teens' emotional health
Heterogeneity in joint real-time and developmental influences of positive and negative social media experiences on socioemotional vulnerability and psychopathology across adolescence
This project looks at how positive and negative social media experiences affect moods and mental health in teens ages 12–20 in their day‑to‑day lives and over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143139 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to use your phone to report short, real‑time feelings and social media experiences so researchers can see how online events and moods influence each other. The team will build person‑specific models that track each teen's unique patterns rather than only averaging across groups. They will combine these momentary reports with longer-term follow-up across adolescence to map how these links change as teens grow. The goal is to find when and for whom social media experiences most strongly relate to emotional difficulties.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adolescents aged about 12–20 who regularly use social media, can carry a smartphone, and are willing to respond to brief real‑time surveys are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: This project is unlikely to help young children, adults, or teens who do not use social media or cannot participate in repeated smartphone‑based reporting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify teens at higher risk from harmful online experiences and guide more personalized prevention or support strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using ecological momentary assessment have shown promise for linking momentary social media experiences and mood, but combining person‑specific models across development is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foster, Katherine Tate — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Foster, Katherine Tate
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 below.