Online Teens & Social Media Study
Researchers at Georgetown University are conducting a study on how new social media laws affect teens’ well-being and online experiences.
Fast Facts
Parents and Teens
(Ages 13-15)
Families Complete An Online Survey Together
Compensation
Provided
Nationwide in
New Zealand or Canada
Study Background
Your family’s voice can help shape the future of digital safety.
Georgetown University researchers are studying how new social media laws affect adolescent well-being and online experiences. As governments worldwide implement youth social media regulations, we need to understand their real-world impact—both intended benefits and potential unintended consequences. We hope this understanding can help create a better digital world for families everywhere.
Around the world, governments are passing new laws to regulate how young people use social media. These laws aim to protect teens, but their real-world effects are not yet fully understood. Some may help reduce risks, while others could unintentionally make it harder for teens to access online communities, build digital skills, or find support.
This study, led by Georgetown University’s Happy Tech Lab, examines how emerging social media laws and regulations shape young people’s online experiences. By learning directly from families, researchers hope to understand both the intended benefits and possible unintended consequences of these laws.
Study Background
Your family’s voice can help shape the future of digital safety.
Georgetown University researchers are studying how new social media laws affect adolescent well-being and online experiences. As governments worldwide implement youth social media regulations, we need to understand their real-world impact—both intended benefits and potential unintended consequences. We hope this understanding can help create a better digital world for families everywhere.
Around the world, governments are passing new laws to regulate how young people use social media. These laws aim to protect teens, but their real-world effects are not yet fully understood. Some may help reduce risks, while others could unintentionally make it harder for teens to access online communities, build digital skills, or find support.
This study, led by Georgetown University’s Happy Tech Lab, examines how emerging social media laws and regulations shape young people’s online experiences. By learning directly from families, researchers hope to understand both the intended benefits and possible unintended consequences of these laws.
Additional Information
We want to understand how new social media laws actually affect families, from teens’ well-being to their online experiences. The findings could help improve future policies that shape the digital world.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Parents and teens (ages 13-15)
- Teen regularly uses a personal social media account
- Live nationwide in United States, New Zealand, or Canada
- Parent and teen speak English
- Plan to stay in current area for next 6 months
Parents will first complete a brief screening questionnaire.
If eligible, parents and teens will each complete a short 10-minute online survey (about 20 minutes total).
Parents and teens should complete the surveys together, and both should be available before starting.
A few months later, parents and teens will be invited to complete follow-up surveys (another 20 minutes total)
All study activities will take place online and can be completed from home.
Families can earn $40 USD (or local equivalent) for participating:
$10 total for completing the first surveys (parent + teen) today
$30 total for completing the follow-up surveys (parent + teen) in a few months
- Compensation is contingent upon identity verification.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.