Popular Myth Debunked: Social Media Does Not Cause Depression

Debunking a Common Belief: Social Media’s Absence of Impact on Depression

While the prevalence of youth depression has seemingly surged in tandem with the rise in social media usage, a comprehensive investigation by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has unveiled a lack of any direct correlation between the two phenomena. Over the course of six years, the study meticulously observed the behaviors of 800 children, scrutinizing their engagement with social media and the emergence of mental health symptoms. Remarkably, the study’s conclusive findings assert that heightened utilization of social media platforms did not engender an increase in symptoms related to anxiety or depression.

Despite the growing amount of time that young individuals dedicate to social media and the observed escalation in youth depression, concrete evidence establishing a direct linkage between the two has yet to be established.

Today’s youth are increasingly immersed in platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, prompting valid concerns among parents and guardians. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have undertaken an earnest endeavor to comprehend the repercussions of such digital media engagement on the mental well-being of the younger generation.

Silje Steinsbekk, a professor at NTNU’s Department of Psychology, elaborates, “The prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased. As has the use of social media. Many people therefore believe that there has to be a correlation.” Yet, the findings of the “Social media behaviors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A four-wave cohort study from age 10-16 years” unequivocally challenge this notion.

The Trondheim Early Secure Study

Conducted as part of the Trondheim Early Secure Study research initiative, this meticulous investigation involved tracking the lives of 800 children in Trondheim over a span of six years. Its purpose was to discern any possible associations between social media usage and the emergence of mental illness symptoms.

Steinsbekk explains, “We have collected data every other year, from the year in which the children were ten years old until they turned 16 years of age. This enabled us to follow the children during the transition from childhood to adolescence. Symptoms of anxiety and depression have been identified through diagnostic interviews with both the children and their parents.”

The study’s results remained consistent for both boys and girls, irrespective of whether the subjects were actively posting content or merely engaging with posts shared by others on social media platforms.

Diminished Correlations Identified by Norwegian Researchers

A multitude of studies in recent times have sought to unravel the relationship between social media use among young individuals and their mental health status. While some studies purport that social media can contribute to improved mental health, others highlight its detrimental impact. Nevertheless, the preponderance of correlations established thus far remains relatively feeble, according to Steinsbekk.

The professor notes, “Mental health is often broadly defined in the studies and covers everything from self-esteem to depression. Data is often collected using questionnaires. It is unclear what has actually been measured and the focus has often been on frequency, i.e. how much time young people have spent on social media.”

Through the longitudinal approach employed in this study, which involved in-depth interviews and a comprehensive assessment of various types of social media engagement, a more nuanced understanding of these correlations has emerged.

Earlier studies conducted by the same research group indicated that around five percent of young individuals in Norway encounter depression, with even lower prevalence observed in children. Furthermore, approximately one in ten children meets the criteria for an anxiety disorder at least once between the ages of four and 14.

A Subject of Strong Emotion

“Young people’s use of social media is a topic that often creates strong emotions, and there is a lot of concern among both parents and professionals,” Steinsbekk acknowledges. The aspiration is to contribute to a more profound comprehension of how social media shapes the development and societal functioning of young people. This involves identifying particularly vulnerable segments of the population, those who stand to benefit, and understanding the nuances of social media usage.

Balancing the Equation

Steinsbekk and her colleagues previously ascertained that girls who engage with and comment on others’ social media posts tend to develop a more negative body image over time, an effect not observed in boys. Conversely, posting content on one’s own social media accounts exhibited no discernible impact on self-esteem, regardless of gender.

In the forthcoming years, researchers will delve into the influence of different social media experiences, including cyberbullying and the sharing of explicit content, on the development and societal integration of young individuals.

Steinsbekk concludes, “Our study finds that if Kari or Knut increasingly like and post on Instagram or Snapchat, they are no more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression. But that does not mean that they are not having negative experiences on social media, or feeling addicted or excluded. Some may be particularly vulnerable and those are the ones we need to identify.” In parallel, Steinsbekk highlights the positive aspects of social media, particularly its role in fostering a sense of community and connection among young people, often mitigating feelings of loneliness for those with fewer offline connections.

The Trondheim Early Secure Study, spanning years of data collection, continues to illuminate the intricate dynamics between social media engagement and the mental well-being of the young participants. The upcoming ninth data collection phase promises to provide further insights into this evolving landscape. Reference: “Social media behaviors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A four-wave cohort study from age 10–16 years.” by Silje Steinsbekk, Jacqueline Nesi and Lars Wichstrøm, 1 July 2023, Computers in Human Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2023.107859

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• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Trondheim Early Secure Study
• “Social media behaviors and symptoms of anxiety and depression. A four-wave cohort study from age 10–16 years.”