PEARLy is a research study all about understanding how social media affects the way teens feel and think — and the best part is, you can do it all from home!

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

Inclusion Criteria:

• Teen is between 10–17 years old

• Teen currently uses at least one social media platform

• Teen owns a smartphone (iOS or Android)

• Teen (and parent, if participating) can read and complete surveys in English

• Teen lives anywhere in the United States

The study lasts about six weeks. During this time, teens will complete short daily surveys, have one online interview, and use an app that tracks screen time in the background.

There are no in‑person or in‑lab visits. All parts of the PEARL‑y study are done online from home. The only “visit” is a remote onboarding session, where a team member explains the study and helps the teen get set up. Later in the study, the teen will also complete a one‑on‑one online interview with a researcher. No medical procedures, scans, or recordings beyond the interview take place.

Remote Activities

Participants complete everything remotely using their own smartphone:

• Daily surveys: Teens receive short surveys several times a day asking about their mood, social media use, and daily experiences. Each survey only takes a few minutes.

• Screen‑time app: Teens download a simple app that passively tracks phone screen time. It does not record messages, photos, or what they do online — only total screen time.

• Online interview: At one point during the study, teens join a friendly, one‑on‑one online interview with a member of the research team to talk about their experiences.

• Parent participation (optional): Parents can join the study too and complete their own surveys if they choose.

Yes, participants can earn up to $33 per week for taking part in the PEARL‑y study. 

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