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Time Spent on Social Media and Risk of Depression in Adolescents: A Dose–Response Meta-Analysis

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  • Mingli Liu

    (Department of Psychology, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China)

  • Kimberly E. Kamper-DeMarco

    (Department of Psychology, State University of New York College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA)

  • Jie Zhang

    (Department of Sociology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 102206, China
    Department of Sociology, State University of New York College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA)

  • Jia Xiao

    (Department of Psychology, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China)

  • Daifeng Dong

    (Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
    China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Xiangya), Changsha 410011, China)

  • Peng Xue

    (College of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116082, China)

Abstract

Adolescent depression is a worldwide public health concern and has contributed to significant socioeconomic burden. Investigating the association between time spent on social media (TSSM) and depression may provide guidance toward the prevention and intervention of adolescent depression. However, related literature reported mixed findings in terms of the relationship between TSSM and depression in adolescents. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive dose–response meta-analysis to clarify this issue. We conducted a systematic title/abstract and topic search of the relative terms in Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO databases through 9 January 2022. Odd ratios (ORs) were used to examine the pooled effect size of the association between TSSM and risk of depression. Dose–response analysis was evaluated by a generalized least squares trend estimation. Twenty-one cross-sectional studies and five longitudinal studies including a total of 55,340 participants were included. Overall, more TSSM was significantly associated with a higher risk of depression symptoms (OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.45 to 1.75) with high heterogeneity (Q (29) = 105.9, p < 0.001; I 2 = 72.6%). The association was stronger for adolescent girls (OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.41 to 2.09) than boys (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.05 to 1.37). Five studies with seven reports were included in dose–response analysis. There was a linear dose–response association of TSSM and risk of depression. The risk of depression increased by 13% (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.09 to 1.17, p < 0.001) for each hour increase in social media use in adolescents. TSSM is associated with depression in a linear dose–response and gender-specific manner, which suggests the need for better monitoring of adolescent social media use. However, motivation, content, and engagement on and exposure to social media use may also be important contributing factors, making it necessary to interpret the current findings with caution. Therefore, further research is required to clarify not only the causal link between TSSM and depression by randomized control studies but also the influence of other factors, such as active vs. passive social media use or different types of engagement or environments in which social media is used.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingli Liu & Kimberly E. Kamper-DeMarco & Jie Zhang & Jia Xiao & Daifeng Dong & Peng Xue, 2022. "Time Spent on Social Media and Risk of Depression in Adolescents: A Dose–Response Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5164-:d:800944
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kietzmann, Jan H. & Hermkens, Kristopher & McCarthy, Ian P. & Silvestre, Bruno S., 2011. "Social media? Get serious! Understanding the functional building blocks of social media," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 54(3), pages 241-251, May.
    2. Jean M. Twenge & Jonathan Haidt & Thomas E. Joiner & W. Keith Campbell, 2020. "Underestimating digital media harm," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 346-348, April.
    3. Vittoria Franchina & Mariek Vanden Abeele & Antonius J. Van Rooij & Gianluca Lo Coco & Lieven De Marez, 2018. "Fear of Missing Out as a Predictor of Problematic Social Media Use and Phubbing Behavior among Flemish Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Haruka Tamura & Tomoko Nishida & Akiyo Tsuji & Hisataka Sakakibara, 2017. "Association between Excessive Use of Mobile Phone and Insomnia and Depression among Japanese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-11, June.
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