How Does Social Media Play a Role in Depression?

By some estimates, roughly 4 billion people worldwide use networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This widespread usage has prompted mental health experts to investigate whether social media's popularity contributes to depression.

Research suggests that people who limit their time on social media tend to be happier than those who don’t. Studies also indicate that social media may trigger various negative emotions in users, contributing to or worsening their depression symptoms.

U.S. Surgeon General Warning

In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory to highlight the effects of social media on youth mental health. He noted that during crucial periods of adolescent brain development, social media use predicts decreases in life satisfaction and raises concerns around body image, sleep issues, and more.

Given that nearly all adolescents now use social media, he stressed the importance of further research.

What to Know About Clinical Depression

Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder characterized by ongoing feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

Depression can be mild or severe and can make it difficult for individuals to concentrate, sleep, eat well, make decisions, or complete their normal routines.

People with depression may contemplate death or suicide, feel worthless, develop anxiety, or have physical symptoms such as fatigue or headaches. Psychotherapy and medication are common treatments for depression. Limiting time on social media and prioritizing real-world connections can also be beneficial to mental health.

The Facts on Social Media and Depression

Social media has never been more popular, with more than half of the world's population active on these sites that provide nonstop news, much of it negative.

• A Lancet study published in 2018 found that people who check Facebook late at night were more likely to feel depressed and unhappy.
• Another 2018 study found that people who spend less time on social media report fewer symptoms of depression and loneliness.
• A 2015 study found that Facebook users who felt envy while on the site were more likely to develop symptoms of depression.

Causation or Correlation?

Some studies reveal a correlation between social media and depression, while other research suggests that social media may actually cause depression. A landmark study—“No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression”—published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology in 2018, established a causal link.

The study found that the less people used social media, the less depressed and lonely they felt. Researchers assigned 143 University of Pennsylvania students to two groups: one with unrestricted social media use and one limited to 30 minutes daily on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat combined for three weeks.

Participants who restricted their social media use reported lower severity of depression and loneliness than at the study's start. Both groups reported decreased anxiety and FOMO, likely because even the unrestricted group became more aware of their social media use.

Less Social Media, Less FOMO

It’s not clear why participants who spent only 30 minutes daily on social media experienced less depression, but researchers suggest they avoided content—like a friend’s beach vacation or grad school acceptance—that might make them feel inferior.

Viewing posts from people with seemingly “perfect” lives can make users feel like they don’t measure up. A 2015 University of Missouri study found that regular Facebook users who felt envy on the site were more likely to develop depression.

Social media can also induce FOMO, for example, if someone was invited on a trip but couldn’t go or wasn’t invited at all. This can lead users to question their friendships or self-worth. Similarly, visiting an ex’s page and seeing them with a new partner can trigger FOMO and feelings of inadequacy.

Limiting time on social media can reduce these comparisons and the negative emotions they generate, potentially lessening depression symptoms.

Why Young People Are at Risk

Before social media and the internet, children mainly faced bullying at school. Now, bullies can torment their victims online. Bullies can spread videos of their targets being humiliated, or swarm a peer’s social media page with negative comments. In extreme cases, bullying has led to suicide.

Schools have anti-bullying policies, but monitoring online abuse can be challenging. Victims often fear that reporting bullying will worsen the situation, leading to further isolation and lack of support.

If you or someone you care about is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

Bad News and ‘Doomscrolling’

One in five Americans now get their news from social media, a higher proportion than those who rely on print media. Heavy social media users, logging in multiple times a day, are frequently exposed to bad news—natural disasters, terrorist attacks, political strife, and celebrity deaths.

Before the internet, exposure to bad news was limited to scheduled broadcasts or newspapers. Now, the habit of binging bad news, known as “doomscrolling,” can negatively affect mental health, increasing anxiety or depression.

A 2018 Lancet Psychiatry study found that people who logged onto Facebook before bedtime were 6% more likely to have major depressive disorder and rated their happiness 9% lower than those with better sleep hygiene.

Psychologist Amelia Aldao told NPR that doomscrolling locks people into a “vicious cycle of negativity,” as our minds are wired to seek out threats. The more time spent scrolling, the more dangers we find, leading to increased anxiety and a sense of hopelessness.

Safely Using Social Media

While social media comes with mental health risks, it doesn’t have to be completely avoided. Experts recommend using it in moderation.

Set a timer when using social media or install an app that tracks your time on these sites. Without these tools, it’s easy to spend hours online. To limit social media use, plan real-world activities that focus on your immediate surroundings. Read a book, watch a movie, take a walk, play a game, bake, or have a phone conversation with a friend. Make time to enjoy life offline.