Using Instagram to help adolescents manage type 1 diabetes

Social Media Use in Adolescent Diabetes Care

NA · Seattle Children's Hospital · NCT06085339

This study is testing if using Instagram for diabetes education and peer support can help teenagers with type 1 diabetes manage their condition better than just standard care alone.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages13 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorSeattle Children's Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Seattle, Washington)
Trial IDNCT06085339 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the feasibility of a social media intervention aimed at supporting diabetes management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive diabetes education and peer support through Instagram, in addition to their usual outpatient care, or to continue with standard care alone. The study will assess the feasibility of this approach and compare changes in glucose levels and self-reported outcomes between the two groups. By leveraging social media, the trial seeks to enhance diabetes self-management among adolescents who often struggle to meet glycemic targets.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12 and older diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 12 months, with an HbA1c level greater than 7.0%, who use a Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system and have access to Instagram.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, wards of the state, or have severe comorbidities that significantly impact their health management may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could improve diabetes management and health outcomes for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of social media for health interventions is a growing field, this specific approach in managing type 1 diabetes among adolescents is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes ≥12 months
* Most recent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level is \> 7.0%
* Currently use Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system
* Speak English fluently
* Cognitively able to participate in program on Instagram and complete surveys
* Have access to a personal Instagram account
* Found to be eligible on the Social Media Preference Screener

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient is a ward of the state
* Patient is pregnant as diabetes standard of care is different during pregnancy (i.e., different glycemic targets and frequency of clinic visits)
* Severe comorbidities including other major chronic health conditions that significantly impact daily management demands or health outcomes

Where this trial is running

Seattle, Washington

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Type 1 Diabetes

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.