Restricted Social Media for Adolescent Mental Health

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Georgetown University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The mental health of adolescents in the United States has seen a steep decline since 2011, roughly coinciding with the increasing popularity of social media and smartphones. But does social media have a causal impact on the mental health of adolescents or are concerns about the effect of social media on kids a form of public hysteria? In this study, the investigators will conduct the first field experiment in 11-14-year-olds to examine whether, how, and for whom social media harms mental health.

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adolescents aged 11-14 who are getting their first smartphone and can speak and read English well enough to complete surveys. Both parents or guardians must consent, and the adolescent must agree to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

My parents are buying me my first smartphone.

You are an adolescent aged 18 or more years who consents to participate in the study and is proficient in both English reading and speaking.

Both my parents/guardians agree I can join the study.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Restricted Social Media (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study investigates if limiting social media usage affects mental health in adolescents. It's a field experiment where participants' access to social media will be restricted to see how it influences their wellbeing.

Participant Groups

Group I: Restricted Social Media Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will have social media apps on their phones blocked for three months.

Group II: Naturalistic Social Media Active Control 1 Intervention

In this control condition, participants will have no study-imposed restrictions on social media use.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Georgetown University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

355

Recruited

142,000+

Dr. Ivica Labuda

Georgetown University

Chief Executive Officer since 2022

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology from Slovak Academy of Sciences, University of Graz, and Rutgers University

Dr. Richard Ascione

Georgetown University

Chief Medical Officer since 2023

MD from Georgetown University Medical School

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Dr. Joshua A. Gordon

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Chief Executive Officer since 2016

MD, PhD

Dr. Shelli Avenevoli

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Chief Medical Officer

PhD

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Chief Medical Officer

MD from University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Chief Executive Officer

MD, PhD from Stanford University