Understanding Digital Media, Anxiety, and Emotion in Teens

Investigation of Digital Media Use, Anxiety, and Biobehavioral Emotion Regulation in Adolescents

['FUNDING_R01'] · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · NIH-11121052

This project looks at how digital media use, like social media, affects anxiety and emotion management in teenagers.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorPENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11121052 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many teens experience anxiety, and digital media is a big part of their daily lives. This project aims to understand how teens use digital media, whether it helps or hurts their social connections, and how it relates to their feelings and anxiety day-to-day. We also want to learn why digital media might be helpful or harmful for some teens by looking at how their brains develop and manage emotions during this important time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project is designed for adolescents between 12 and 20 years old who may be experiencing anxiety symptoms and regularly use digital media.

Not a fit: Patients outside of the adolescent age range or those not experiencing anxiety related to digital media use may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand how digital media impacts teen mental health, leading to new ways to support adolescents dealing with anxiety.

How similar studies have performed: This project addresses identified gaps in current knowledge, suggesting a novel approach to understanding the complex relationship between digital media, emotion regulation, and anxiety in adolescents.

Where this research is happening

UNIVERSITY PARK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Anxiety Disorders

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.