This study is being conducted to better understand how social media may affect the mental health of male teens who experience low mood or depressive symptoms. Researchers hope to learn how social media experiences relate to emotions and brain activity to help improve our understanding of teen mental health and support future research.

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

• Males ages 13-17
• Feeling down or depressed
• Feeling moody, irritable, or sad frequently
• Use social media on a personal smartphone
• Willing and able to receive an MRI scan (no dental braces or foreign objects in the body, no claustrophobia)
• No diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia

Overall Duration

The study lasts about 3 months. Male teens ages 13–17 who experience low mood or have been feeling down will complete virtual activities, in-person visits, and surveys to help researchers learn how social media experiences relate to mood, emotions, and brain activity.

In-Person Activities

Participants will complete 1–2 in-person visits at the University of Pittsburgh. Visits will include surveys, questionnaires, computer-based tasks, and MRI scans. During the MRI scan, participants will complete tasks involving social media experiences, such as viewing posts and reactions, while researchers study brain activity.

Before the in-person visits, participants and a parent or legal guardian will complete a virtual video call with consent forms and questionnaires to confirm eligibility. Some participants may be invited to complete a second MRI visit about 2 weeks after the first visit.

At-Home Activities

Participants will complete surveys from home throughout the study. After the first MRI visit, teens will receive text message surveys 3 times a day for 16 days about their emotions, daily experiences, and social interactions. Each survey takes about 6–7 minutes to complete.

Participants will also complete a short follow-up questionnaire about 3 months after the MRI visit. Teens will provide 28 photos for study activities, which will only be used for research purposes.

Researchers will collect information from surveys, questionnaires, and MRI scans. Personal phone activity, private messages, and personal social media accounts will not be recorded.

Participants may receive up to $465 for completing study activities. Compensation is provided for time spent completing virtual visits, in-person visits, surveys, MRI scans, and other study procedures. Free parking is available for in-person visits, and transportation support may be available for local bus travel for the teen and a parent or legal guardian.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.