Teenagers, screens and social media: a narrative review of reviews and key studies

Amy C. Orben

703 citations0/0 files storedSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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Impact of Technology on Adolescents Child Development and Digital Technology Digital Media and Philosophy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In light of growing concerns about an increasingly digital adolescence, the academic field investigating how digital technologies affect adolescents' psychological well-being is growing rapidly. In the last years, much research has amassed, and this has been summarised in over 80 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and key studies are reviewed to provide insights into the state of current research linking digital technology and social media use to well-being; possible future directions and improvements are discussed. RESULTS: When examining the reviews, it becomes evident that the research field is dominated by cross-sectional work that is generally of a low quality standard. While research has highlighted the importance of differentiating between different types of digital technology use many studies do not consider such necessary nuances. These limitations aside, the association between digital technology use, or social media use in particular, and psychological well-being is-on average-negative but very small. Furthermore, the direction of the link between digital technology use and well-being is still unclear: effects have been found to exist in both directions and there has been little work done to rule out potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Reviewing the last decade of reviews in the area, it is evident that the research field needs to refocus on improving transparency, interpreting effect sizes and changing measurement. It also needs to show a greater appreciation for the individual differences that will inherently shape each adolescent's reaction to digital technologies.

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References

2007The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites 2019A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents 2017Increases in Depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and Suicide Rates Among U.S. Adolescents After 2010 and Links to Increased New Media Screen Time 2013Facebook Use Predicts Declines in Subjective Well-Being in Young Adults 2019The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use 2017Do Social Network Sites Enhance or Undermine Subjective Well‐Being? A Critical Review 2010Social network activity and social well-being 2012An Agenda for Purely Confirmatory Research

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2022Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis 2020Computer-Mediated Communication, Social Media, and Mental Health: A Conceptual and Empirical Meta-Review 2020The effect of social media on well-being differs from adolescent to adolescent 2020Social Media and Well-Being: Pitfalls, Progress, and Next Steps

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