Does Social Media Impact Adolescent Mental Health?
Recruiting · NCT06049888 · Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment) · Lead sponsor: Georgetown University
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →Interventions studied
Restricted Social Media
What this trial is about
The mental health of adolescents in the United States has seen a steep decline, roughly coinciding with the increasing popularity of social media and smartphones. But does social media have a causal impact on the mental health of adolescents or are concerns about the effect of social media on kids a form of public hysteria? In this study, the investigators will conduct the first field experiment in 10-14-year-olds to examine whether, how, and for whom social media harms mental health.
Who can take part
Age range
10 Years to 14 Years
Sex
All (male and female)
Healthy volunteers
Yes - healthy volunteers may be accepted
Phase
Not applicable (e.g. observational or device study)
Study type
Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment)
Inclusion criteria
- is an adolescent who is between the ages of 10 and 14;
- is an adolescent whose parents have decided to buy them their first smartphone;
- is an adolescent both of whose parents/guardians consent for them to be in the study;
- is an adolescent who assents to be in the study; 5) is an adolescent who speaks and reads English sufficiently to complete surveys and provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
- is an adolescent who has severe developmental problems (e.g., autism, severe language delay);
- is an adolescent who is currently or has ever been diagnosed with severe or moderately severe mental illness;
- is an adolescent who is currently or has ever experienced suicidal ideation.
Where it is running
1 location listed across 1 US state.
- Georgetown University - Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States