[Abstract Only] Study: The Adverse Effects of Social Media use on Young People’s Mental Health May be Caused by Exposure to Cyberbullying, Loss of Sleep, and Reduced Physical Activity

Roles of cyberbullying, sleep, and physical activity in mediating the effects of social media use on mental health and wellbeing among young people in England: a secondary analysis of longitudinal data – The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Social media use may harm teens’ mental health by disrupting positive activities, study says – CNN (free) AND Social-media use ‘disrupting teen sleep and exercise’ – BBC (free) Expert reaction to study on social media use and the role of cyberbullying, sleep and physical activity in the wellbeing in young people – Science Media Centre (free) AND Social Media’s Ill Effects in Teen Girls: 3 Factors Play Large Role – NEJM Journal Watch (free)

Related Commentary on Twitter

New study suggests that #SocialMedia itself doesn't cause harm to #adolescents, but #MentalHealth harms related to very frequent use in girls might be due to exposure to #cyberbullying, loss of sleep, or reduced physical activity. https://t.co/CGt63GnW7J @russellviner pic.twitter.com/J7SuMORjLj

— The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (@LancetChildAdol) August 13, 2019