Adolescent girls spent an average of 3.9 hours per day on social media, correlating with higher anxiety levels, according to a recent study. The population-based study investigated the relationship between smartphone use and mental health in adolescent girls. First-year female students (1164) from 21 socioeconomically diverse high schools were recruited for the study.
Participants, with a mean age of 16.3 years, completed an online survey using validated scales, including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to measure potential social media addiction, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to assess anxiety levels, and the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) to evaluate body image. They also submitted screenshots of their smartphone usage. The study identified that 16% (n=183) of participants had possible social media addiction, while 37% (n=371) exceeded the cut-off for potential anxiety disorders.
Associations were found between higher BSMAS scores and various adverse outcomes, including increased anxiety (r=0.380), poorer body image (r=−0.268), poorer health (r=−0.252), lower mood (r=−0.261), greater tiredness (r=0.347), and greater loneliness (r=0.226) (P<0.001 for all). Among the 564 participants who provided screenshots of their smartphone use, average daily use was 5.8 hours, with 3.9 hours devoted to social media. This is higher than the national average of smartphone use, indicating significant usage patterns in this cohort. These participants exhibited higher grade point averages compared to those who did not submit screenshots, but there were no significant differences in BSMAS and well-being measures.
The study, published in BMJ, found that study participants averaged 5.8 hours of daily smartphone use, with 3.9 hours dedicated to social media. This is higher than the national average of daily smartphone use, indicating significant usage patterns in this cohort.
The authors suggested that professionals support caregivers in establishing tech-free zones and fostering in-person relationships. They also recommended that policymakers strengthen safety standards and urge technology companies to prioritize safety and health in the development of social media.
The study was led by Dr. Silja Kosola, funded by Helsinki University Hospital, with no competing interests declared.
