How social media affects body image in early adolescents
Official title: Social Media Use in Early Adolescence: Implications for Body Image
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11047205 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using social media affects how kids aged 10 to 12 feel about their bodies, and it wants to understand how their parents might influence their social media experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | September 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $427,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135476-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047205 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are early adolescents aged 10 to 12 who actively use social media.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the early adolescent age range or those who do not use social media may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of social media use on body image concerns among early adolescents aged 10 to 12. It aims to understand how these young individuals engage with social media and how this engagement influences their perceptions of body image. The study will utilize advanced methodologies to assess visual attention biases towards digital content and explore the role of parental influence in shaping adolescents' interactions with social media. By focusing on this critical developmental period, the research seeks to provide insights into the mental health challenges faced by early adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting healthy body image and mental health among adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a correlation between social media use and body image concerns, but this study aims to provide a more nuanced understanding through innovative methodologies.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burnell, Kaitlyn — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Burnell, Kaitlyn
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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.