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Digital health
The Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health: Findings From a Population-Based Cohort Study in Australia
Objectives To examine the effects of social media on future mental health problems (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, poor well-being and self-harm) in adolescents aged 12–18years, overall and stratified by sex and age periods (early, middle and late adolescence).Study TypeProspective longitudinal study.SettingParticipants were recruited in 2012 through schools in Melbourne, selected using stratified random sampling. In wave 1 (2012), 1239 Grade 3 students participated and have since completed annual surveys.ParticipantsThe analysis used data up to wave 11 (2022). Participants with no data on mental health, social media and confounders were excluded, leaving a sample of 1195 (552 [46%] male participants).Main Outcome MeasuresExposure was self-reported duration of daily social media use at each wave, from waves 4 to 10 (ages 12–18years). Outcomes (self-reported depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, well-being, self-harm) were assessed at the subsequent annual wave, from waves 5 to 11 (ages 13–19years).ResultsAcross adolescence, >2h versus <1h of daily social media use was associated with a small increase in risk of high depressive symptoms (risk difference [RD] per 100, 6.3 [95% CI, 2.7–9.9]) and poor well-being (RD, 4.9 [95% CI, 1.1–8.6]) at the subsequent annual wave. Estimated risks for all mental health problems were greatest in early adolescence (12–13years), with the largest effects observed for high depressive symptoms in female participants (>2h vs. <1h: RD, 10.8 [95% CI, 2.7–18.9]).ConclusionsHigher levels of social media use were associated with small increases in future risk of high depressive symptoms and poor well-being across adolescence. The largest risks for all mental health problems were observed during early adolescence for both male and female participants, supporting the need to consider policies that mitigate the adverse effects of social media on the mental health of younger adolescents.
Nandita Vijayakumar, S. Ghazaleh Dashti, Louise Canterford, Susan Ellul, Anthony J. A. Parissi, Anne-Lise Goddings, Russell M. Viner, Paul Moran, Rohan Borschmann, Lisa K. Mundy, Ellie M. Robson, Susan M. Sawyer
Advancing Inclusive Design Practice for Queer Youth Using Digital Technologies for Mental Health
Youth mental ill health has increased worldwide, and non-inclusive technology design practice risks overlooking queer youth. This article calls for greater inclusivity and equity in the design of digital technologies used by queer youth to access mental health resources, support and service pathways across diverse global contexts, including internet-based tools, digital platforms and digitally enabled therapeutic interventions, such as mobile applications (apps), online services, chatbots and social media. It warns of threats such as persistent invisibility and prejudiced technology design practice markedly affecting mental health equity and access for queer youth. It proposes three key principles to guide practitioners and researchers in designing digital technologies used by queer youth for mental health: (i) partner and design with queer young people; (ii) embed queer theory into research and design; and (iii) design for sustainability. The principles and recommendations presented here are also relevant to other digital health fields and practitioners should consider applying them in their own practice, where appropriate, to advance inclusivity and equity in technology design.
Adam Poulsen, Ian B. Hickie, Samuel J. Hockey, Frank Iorfino, Haley M. LaMonica