May 21, 2025

expert reaction to study on social media use in adolescence and depressive symptoms

A study published in JAMA Network Open looks at social media use and depressive symptoms during early adolescents. 

Prof Chris Ferguson, Professor of Psychology, Stetson University, said:

“Contrary to the claims of the authors, this study, in fact, finds little evidence that earlier social media time is associated with later mental health.  The effect sizes reported are, in fact, so small, as to likely be due to statistical noise, not real effects. This is a common flaw of many correlational studies, particularly those with large samples such as this one. On balance, this study provides better evidence that social media has no predictive relationship with later mental health than it does anything parents should worry about.  Further, pediatricians should not waste valuable time querying patients about social media, based on the extraordinarily weak statistical results from this study.”

‘Social Media Use and Depressive Symptoms During Early Adolescence’ by Jason M. Nagata et al. was published in JAMA Network Open at 16:00 UK time on Wednesday 21 May.

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11704

Declared interests

Prof Chris Ferguson: No declarations.