How social media use affects the risk of suicide in adolescents

The impact of social media use on precursors of adolescent suicide risk: Aprospective study

NIH-funded research Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-10892988

This study is looking at how using social media affects sleep and mood in teenagers, and whether these factors might lead to feelings of depression or thoughts about suicide, so we can better understand how to help young people stay healthy and safe.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Piscataway, United States)
Project IDNIH-10892988 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between social media use and factors that may lead to suicide risk among adolescents. By using advanced smartphone technology, the study will monitor social media activity, sleep patterns, and mood in real-time, providing a detailed understanding of how these elements interact over time. The research aims to identify whether disruptions in sleep caused by social media use contribute to feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. Participants will be closely monitored through both digital tools and in-person visits to gather comprehensive data.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who actively use social media and may be experiencing symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use social media or who are not experiencing any mental health issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for adolescent suicide by identifying critical factors related to social media use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated a correlation between social media use and mental health issues, but this study's prospective approach and use of objective measures are relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Piscataway, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.