Reducing Social Media Use Decreases Depression Symptoms
A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 16946282 |
|---|---|
| Authors | W Theodore May (University of New England), Willem May, John M Malouff (0000-0001-6728-7497, University of New England, corresponding author), Jai Meynadier (0000-0002-9493-6998, University of New England) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 11 |
| Pages | 222 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-27 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ejihpe15110222 |
| PMID | 41294782 |
| OpenAlex | W4415616300 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 70 |
The association between social media use and depression found in correlational research has prompted widespread concern regarding the consequences of social media use. In response to this evidence, experimental interventions have been used to evaluate whether lowering social media use affects depression. This meta-analysis synthesised results of 10 randomized controlled trials (N = 1491) to assess the effect of limiting or refraining from social media use on severity of depressive symptoms. Studies were included if they were randomized control trials involving reducing or eliminating use of social media for a period of time. The results indicate that reducing social media use significantly decreases depressive symptoms, with an effect size of g = 0.25, 95% CI [0.10, 0.41], p
Abstinence · Limiting · Psychological intervention · Randomized controlled trial · Social media · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Mental Health via Writing
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |