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Depending on the depression and suicide rate of youth spikes, experts are asking whether social media make children depressed.
New research provides answers. Researchers at UC SAN Francisco have shown that depression symptoms have increased as Freer uses more social media. But the opposite was not true. The increase in depressive symptoms did not later predict the increase in social media use.
On average, the use of social media in children increased to 7 to 73 minutes a day for three years of research and 35%of depressive symptoms. This study has been published Jama Network Open.
After investigating the data along the data along with almost 12,000 children between Jason Nagata, MD, MD, MD, MD, and 9 to 10 years old, UCSF’s associate professor of pediatrics, the data was investigated at 12-13 years old.This study can track changes compared to each child’s time to accurately evaluate social media and depression.
“There is a debate on whether social media contributes to depression or simply reflecting fundamental depression,” Nagata said. “This discovery provides evidence that social media can contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.”

Conceptual random intercept (RI) cross -delay panel model of social media use and depression symptoms. Credit transaction: Jama Network Open (2025). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11704
It is not clear why social media increases depression symptoms, but previous studies point to risks such as cyber harassment and sleep interruption. In fact, Nagata and Team just published a separate study. Lancet Local Health -America Looking at the same cohort of the participants who focused on the influence of cyber harassment.
According to this study, children between 11 and 12 years of age, who had been harassed by cyber, were 2.62 times more likely to report suicide or suicide attempts in one year. In addition, the children were 2.31 times more likely to experiment with materials (4.65 times for marijuana, 3.37 marijuana, 1.92 alcohol).
Increasingly, the youngest generation is facing Catch -22 as evidence is related to the symptoms of depression and dangerous behavior, but it is also a major area to connect with friends and communicate with friends.
To solve this reality, the American Pediatrics Academy uses tools Family media plan It creates a healthier digital habit for both children and parents.
Nagata said, “As a father of two young children, I know that talking to children ‘to get off the phone’ is not really effective.” Nagata said. “Parents can lead them to an open and unjust conversation for the use of the screen. Set the screen free time of the whole family, such as during a meal or bed, to build a healthier digital habits for everyone, including adults.”
Additional information:
Jason M. nagata et al. Use of social media and depression during early adolescence, Jama Network Open (2025). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11704
Jason M. Nagata et al, cyber harassment, experiments between early youth using mental health and materials: preliminary cohort research, Lancet Regional Health -America (2025). Doi: 10.1016/J.LANA.2025.101002
recall: Social media use increases depression in frester. The same is true.
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