March 28, 2022

expert reaction to study on social media use and wellbeing over adolescence

A study published in Nature Communications looks at windows of developmental sensitivity to social media in adolescents.

This Roundup accompanied an SMC Briefing.

Prof Bernadka Dubicka, Honorary Professor, Mental Academy Health Science, University of Manchester, said:

“This is an interesting study, reflects the complexity seen in vulnerable adolescents in clinical practice, and finally moves away from the unhelpful dichotomy about whether social media is or isn’t harmful – assessing vulnerability in adolescence is a complex and dynamic process which needs to consider multiple factors at any one point in time, including the relationship with social media. This large, longitudinal community data set has identified different points of vulnerability to social media use in males and females, however, is unable to answer the crucial questions regarding why this may be. Notably, this study only covers a period up to 2018 – since then, social media use has become ever more prominent in young people’s lives, particularly during the pandemic, and emotional difficulties, notably in older adolescent girls, have risen significantly. It will be vital to build on this research to understand both the harmful as well as supportive role of social media in young people’s lives.”

‘Windows of developmental sensitivity to social media’ by Amy Orben et al. was published in Nature Communications at 10:00am UK time on Monday 28^th March.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29296-3

Declared interests

Prof Bernadka Dubicka: “No COIs.”