PLUS-2: Pathways Linking Use of Social Media to Teen Outcomes
Researchers at Rutgers University are investigating the links between social media, sleep, and teen mental health. Join our study!
Fast Facts
Have an Android Smartphone
14-17 Years Old
Compensation Provided
Conducted Remotely Nationwide
Study Background
We want to learn how social media use affects teens, including their sleep and mood over time.
Social media is a space filled with supportive positive and harmful negative experiences that are different for everyone. Your unique experiences can help us understand this relationship better than anyone else!
We need teens like you to give a REAL perspective on what social media use is like day-to-day so we can do research that helps in creating better systems to support teens in the future.
If you’re 14-17 years old and have an Android phone, you could be eligible to participate in this study completely from home. It will involve 3 Zoom meetings, some online surveys, wearing a sleep monitoring watch, and using an app that monitors your phone use. Check your eligibility today and help advance research on teen mental health!
Study Background
We want to learn how social media use affects teens, including their sleep and mood over time.
Social media is a space filled with supportive positive and harmful negative experiences that are different for everyone. Your unique experiences can help us understand this relationship better than anyone else!
We need teens like you to give a REAL perspective on what social media use is like day-to-day so we can do research that helps in creating better systems to support teens in the future.
If you’re 14-17 years old and have an Android phone, you could be eligible to participate in this study completely from home. It will involve 3 Zoom meetings, some online surveys, wearing a sleep monitoring watch, and using an app that monitors your phone use. Check your eligibility today and help advance research on teen mental health!
Additional Information
The purpose of this research study is to learn more about how social media, sleep, and mood are related in teenagers, and whether we can use teens’ smartphones and daily activity to understand these relationships.
You may qualify for the study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 14-17
- Have an android smartphone
- Use social media regularly
- Grades 9-12
This is a completely online study, but you will meet with over Zoom three times.
First Zoom call: Confirm your eligibility, informed consent, and enrollment.
Second Zoom call: Download the three study apps and participate in an interview describing some life experiences.
After the second Zoom call, you’ll enter the 2-month at-home part of the study. You’ll need to complete an online survey, contact form, and safety plan. Then, for two months, you’ll wear a sleep monitoring watch, use an app that monitors phone use, and answer very short daily surveys twice a day, plus one additional survey once a week.
At the end of this period, you’ll complete an online follow-up survey, return the watch, uninstall the apps, and meet with the study team for the third Zoom call.
Third Zoom call: An exit interview describing your mood and experiences with the study over the past 2 months.
You will also have the option to sign up for a paid follow-up survey one year after the study.
Here’s what we DO check:
- what apps you use
- how long your screen is on
- what time of day you use your phone
- your phone’s battery level
- how often you communicate with others
Here’s what we DON’T check:
- what you’re doing in the apps you use
- your location
- your microphone
- who you are talking to
- your messages
- photos or searches
Participants will be compensated through Amazon gift cards, up to $210.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
