How social media use affects adolescent mental health and loneliness
Official title: Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10815392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using social media affects the mental health of teenagers, especially focusing on feelings of loneliness, to see if online interactions are as helpful as face-to-face ones, and it hopes to find ways for teens to use social media that can boost their well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $375,261 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD115354-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10815392 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are adolescents who actively use social media platforms and may be experiencing feelings of loneliness or mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not use social media may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between social media use and mental health among adolescents, particularly focusing on loneliness as a risk factor. It aims to understand how online interactions compare to in-person social interactions in terms of their impact on mental well-being. By using a combination of objective indicators and intensive longitudinal methods, the study seeks to identify which social media experiences can promote positive mental health outcomes in teenagers. The findings could provide valuable insights into how adolescents can navigate social media in a way that supports their mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help develop strategies to enhance adolescent mental well-being through informed social media use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant associations between social media use and mental health outcomes, indicating that this area of study is both relevant and timely.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marciano, Laura — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Marciano, Laura
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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.