Introduction:
Despite the extensive body of research on the impact of social media on mental health, there remains a significant gap in understanding how individual differences may contribute to the risks associated with social media use, particularly among adolescents.
Methods:
Conducted between 2018 and 2020, this study delves into the relationship between social media usage—both overall and across specific platforms—and depressive symptoms in a cohort of 237 American adolescents (Mean Age = 15.10; SD = 0.49; 51.1% female, 48.5% male). Several moderators, including gender, self-esteem, personality traits, and negative reactions to social media, were examined. Covariates considered in the analysis included gender, timing of the follow-up (pre vs. during the pandemic), and baseline depressive symptoms from a year earlier.
Results:
The findings revealed a significant association between increased total time spent on social media and elevated levels of depressive symptoms. This correlation extended to specific platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, but not Snapchat, Facebook, or Twitter. Notably, Twitter usage was linked to higher depressive symptoms in girls but not boys. Additionally, more frequent Instagram use was correlated with increased depressive symptoms among teens with lower or average levels of extraversion, while this effect was not observed in more extraverted individuals, suggesting a potential protective role of extraversion. Moreover, heightened TikTok use was associated with greater depressive symptoms, particularly in teens reporting more or average-level negative reactions to social media from the previous year.
Conclusions:
This study underscores the nuanced relationship between social media usage and mental health outcomes in adolescents. The results highlight the significance of individual differences and the specific social media platforms in understanding the risks associated with increased depressive symptoms. The findings call for a more tailored and platform-specific approach to addressing mental health challenges in adolescents navigating the complex landscape of social media.
