How social media affects the mental health of adolescents
Official title: Causal Effects of Exposure to Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-10916563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using social media affects the mental health of kids aged 11 to 14 who are just getting their first smartphones, by comparing those who can use social media freely with those who have limited access for three months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $314,048 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135467-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 11 to 14 who are about to receive their first smartphone.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 14 or those who do not use smartphones may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents aged 11 to 14. By conducting a longitudinal field experiment, the study will recruit 500 adolescents who are getting their first smartphones. Participants will be divided into two groups: one with unrestricted access to social media and another with restricted access for three months. The goal is to determine if there is a causal relationship between social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression in this age group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into how social media usage affects adolescent mental health, potentially guiding parents and policymakers in making informed decisions.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been correlational studies on social media and mental health, this research is novel as it aims to establish a causal link through a controlled experiment.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kushlev, Kostadin — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Kushlev, Kostadin
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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.