Can social media use interventions alleviate symptoms of depression?

What’s the issue?

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with friends, family, and the world at large. But what happens when our social media usage takes a toll on our mental health, particularly in the context of depression? This is the topic of my NIHR Three Schools’ fellowship that I am undertaking at University College London. My recent research brings forth some intriguing insights that could change the way we view and handle this issue.

In 2022, a staggering 4.59 billion people worldwide were estimated to be active on at least one social media platform. These platforms have revolutionized how we communicate, form relationships, and perceive the world. While some studies suggest that social media can provide valuable social support, other evidence points to its potential negative impact, particularly in terms of depression and anxiety, among the younger generation.

To tackle these concerns and improve mental health, a range of strategies have been developed and tested. These include techniques such as limiting or taking breaks from social media, as well as incorporating therapy-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

What we aimed to do? In our study funded and supported by the NIHR Three Schools, we explored the effectiveness of interventions aimed at addressing problematic social media use and its impact on mental well-being. What's considered "problematic use," you ask? It's when our attachment to social media distracts us from our daily tasks and responsibilities in other areas of life. Sound familiar?

What we found?

We examined 23 studies conducted globally, spanning the years from 2004 to 2022. We discovered that social media interventions proved to be beneficial in improving mental well-being in over a third of the studies (39%). What's even more striking is that when it came to depression, around 70% of the studies revealed a significant improvement following these interventions.

What's really interesting is that therapies, like CBT, were the most effective. They improved mental well-being in 83% of the studies they examined. On the other hand, just cutting back on social media use worked in only 20% of the studies, and quitting social media entirely helped in 25% of cases. So, a therapy-based approach may most benefit our mental health.

What this means?

"Mental health issues are on the rise, and so is the number of people who use social media. Simply cutting down on social media usage won't be a magic bullet for mental well-being. Instead, adopting a therapy-based approach, coupled with a thoughtful reflection on our social media interactions and behaviours, could prove more effective in enhancing mental health." (Dr. Ruth Plackett, the lead author of the study).

"As primary care physicians, we should try to explore how our patients use social media and how it affects their mental health, especially if they're struggling with anxiety and low mood. This way, they can get be directed to appropriate services that may offer targeted treatment, including some of the more effective interventions we've looked into." (Dr. Patricia Schartau, a General Practitioner and co-author of the study).

We hope that our findings will inform policymakers and healthcare professionals on how best to address problematic social media use. However, it's important to note that further research is needed to pinpoint who stands to benefit most from these interventions.

Study limitations

This study does come with certain limitations. The current body of experimental research is not without its flaws, including issues like selection bias, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Thus, more extensive, high-quality research with diverse populations is required to further explore this topic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research offers us a fresh perspective on the relationship between social media and mental health. It underscores the potential benefits of a therapy-based approach in addressing problematic social media use, particularly in the context of depression. As we navigate the digital age, these findings may become increasingly significant for improving our mental well-being. Stay tuned for more updates in this evolving field! For those who wish to delve deeper into this fascinating subject, Dr. Ruth Plackett at ruth.plackett.15@ucl.ac.uk can provide more information. The complete research paper, titled "The Impact of Social Media Use Interventions on Mental Well-being: A Systematic Review," is available in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Funding acknowledgement

This Fellowship (MH013) and Development Workshop (MH034) were funded as part of the Three NIHR Research Schools Mental Health Programme. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.