Understanding Smartphone and Social Media Habits in Young People

Origins and Outcomes of Smartphone and Social Media Habits Across Development

['FUNDING_R01'] · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · NIH-11159520

This project looks at how smartphone and social media habits form in young people and how these habits might affect their development and daily lives.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorTEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11159520 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

We are exploring how young people's smartphone and social media use changes as they grow up, from childhood through young adulthood. Our goal is to understand what factors might lead to certain habits and what effects these habits have on their brains and overall well-being. We will use several methods, including observing behaviors, brain imaging, asking participants questions, and checking in with them in their daily lives, to get a full picture of these relationships.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants for this type of research would be children, adolescents, and young adults who use smartphones and social media.

Not a fit: Patients not using smartphones or social media, or those outside the specified age ranges, would not directly benefit from this particular research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand how digital media affects young people, potentially leading to guidance for healthier technology use and supporting their development.

How similar studies have performed: While some foundational work exists, this project aims to answer basic questions that are still largely unknown, making its approach novel in addressing the direction and stability of these relationships across development.

Where this research is happening

PHILADELPHIA, 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 →

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.