Social Media Use Research Study
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are conducting a study on how social media experiences, stress, and brain health are connected in teens ages 14 to 17 and their families.
Fast Facts
Regularly Use Social Media & Experience Depression or Anxiety
14-17
Years Old
Compensation
Provided Up To $790
Conducted in
Pittsburgh, PA
Study Background
This study looks at how teens’ online experiences may affect their stress levels, emotions, and brain development.
Social media plays a big role in many teens’ daily lives, and both positive and negative experiences online can influence how they feel and cope with stress. Researchers want to better understand how these experiences are connected to changes in stress hormones, mental health, and brain function.
By combining interviews, questionnaires, biological samples, and optional brain imaging, this study helps researchers see the full picture of how stress affects both the body and the brain. The information gathered may help improve future prevention, support, and treatment programs for teens who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges.
Study Background
This study looks at how teens’ online experiences may affect their stress levels, emotions, and brain development.
Social media plays a big role in many teens’ daily lives, and both positive and negative experiences online can influence how they feel and cope with stress. Researchers want to better understand how these experiences are connected to changes in stress hormones, mental health, and brain function.
By combining interviews, questionnaires, biological samples, and optional brain imaging, this study helps researchers see the full picture of how stress affects both the body and the brain. The information gathered may help improve future prevention, support, and treatment programs for teens who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges.
Additional Information
This study is being done to understand how social media use and online experiences may impact stress, mental health, and brain function in teens.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 14-17
- Regularly use social media
- Experiences depression or anxiety
- Speaks English
- Post on social media at least once per week OR log on to social media daily
- Willing to share their social media data as part of the study
A parent and teen complete an initial interview to see if the teen is eligible.
If eligible, the teen completes interviews and questionnaires about emotions, stress, and mental health.
Hair samples and simple body measurements like height and weight are collected to study stress hormones.
The teen can choose to complete an optional brain scan using MRI while doing simple computer tasks.
The teen shares social media data from the past year and again at six months.
Follow-up visits happen at 2, 4, and 6 months to repeat some activities.
All visits can be done virtually or in person, except for the MRI and optional blood or saliva samples, which are in person.
All information is kept private and used only for research.
Teens can earn compensation for each part of the study, with the opportunity to earn up to $790 total for completing all required and optional activities. Payments vary by visit and by which optional parts are completed, such as the MRI or blood and saliva samples.
For in-person visits, snacks and beverages are provided, and parking is reimbursed up to $10.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.