HMN 2025: How Can social media predict teen well being dangers?

This fall, researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington will launch an bold study to discover how teenagers’ on a regular basis experiences on social media could form their psychological well being and potential substance use.

UT Arlington School of Social Work Professors Melissa Lewis and Dana Litt, in collaboration with lead investigator Karrie Curry, a analysis scientist on the University of North Texas Health Science Center, will observe 250 adolescents of assorted backgrounds from throughout Texas.

Through each day surveys over six weeks, the staff will seize how particular sorts of social media engagement have an effect on individuals’ emotions of tension and despair and tendency towards dangerous conduct, reminiscent of substance use.

A 12-month follow-up will assist decide whether or not these short-term interactions predict extra critical issues over time.

Unlike most earlier analysis, which has centered on how a lot time teenagers spend on-line, this study will dig deeper into what they’re seeing, sharing and responding to on social media, and the way these interactions affect a spread of well being behaviors.

“We’re going to have a look at particular engagement with content material associated to the well being behaviors we’re fascinated with,” Dr. Litt stated. “Is a teen simply viewing content material about substance use or psychological well being, or are they sharing it? Does that distinction matter? We’re attempting to know precisely what about it’s dangerous throughout sure days and over time.”

The study may assist result in higher prevention methods and supply dad and mom steerage on how their youngsters navigate the advanced digital world.

“There’s analysis exhibiting the dangers of being on-line, but additionally some advantages,” Litt stated. “This study may assist spotlight each side and create speaking factors for folks—for instance, asking questions like “What do you take pleasure in on-line?” “What makes you cheerful?” “What makes you unhappy?”

“Balancing the dialog, not simply specializing in the scary components, can actually assist. That’s one thing this analysis may result in—future research, prevention and interventions.”

Parent interventions do not essentially should be a couple of particular matter like social media, psychological well being or alcohol; it is actually about dialog methods, Lewis stated.

“If one thing occurs, like an issue with a peer or one thing on social media, dad and mom have to strategy these conversations in a method that encourages participation as an alternative of simply reacting with anger,” she stated.

The study’s findings may function a basis and inform methods to forestall hurt and promote wholesome improvement in adolescents.