Research on the Impact of Habitual Social Media Checking on Teens’ Brain Development

A 3-year longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA Pediatrics examined adolescents’ frequency of checking social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat).

Specifically, it found that those who frequently check social media have lower brain responses to social situations at age 12 compared to those who don’t check as often. This lower response showed up in parts of the brain that deal with emotions, rewards, and social signals.

Over time, though, their brain responses to social situations started to increase, while the brains of less frequent users became less responsive. This difference might mean that constantly checking social media could make teens’ brains more sensitive to social feedback as they grow older, which would affect how they feel and react in social situations.

Based on this research, a key concern is that using social media often during the teen years — a time when the brain is especially tuned into social approval — could make teens more sensitive to needing approval from others.

Understanding the Research

In this study, the researchers looked into whether frequent checking of social media platforms is linked to changes in brain development over time. The study involved 169 sixth- and seventh-grade students who were recruited from three public middle schools in rural North Carolina.

The participants, aged 12 to 13, reported how frequently they checked social media platforms. Each year, the researchers used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure their brain responses while anticipating social feedback through the Social Incentive Delay task. This task presented cues indicating if feedback would be a reward, punishment, or neutral. After seeing them, the students had to quickly respond so that the researchers could measure how their brains reacted.

Here is a summary of the neural sensitivity findings:

• Habitual checkers: Participants displayed lower neural sensitivity to social anticipation in several brain regions (e.g., left amygdala, posterior insula, ventral striatum) at age 12 compared to nonhabitual checkers. However, their brains became more responsive to social cues over time.
• Nonhabitual checkers: Those who checked social media less usually showed a decrease in brain activity in the same areas over time. This implied that they became less sensitive to social cues as they matured.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

As you’ve learned, frequent social media checking can create a positive feedback loop where increased sensitivity to social rewards might lead to compulsive behavior. On the other hand, those who check less may manage their social interactions better without being too sensitive towards negative outcomes.

With this in mind, here are some helpful tips for parents and caregivers to promote healthier social media habits in children:

Set daily time limits

In our resource, How To Self-Regulate Screen Time, we mention limiting screen time to 2 hours or less per day as a key strategy for being in control. This lets our teens understand that while they can still enjoy social media, it should not dominate their time.

Moreover, it limits their access, so they’re less inclined to check their devices impulsively throughout the day.

Encourage them to spend time with offline activities

Activities like sports, outdoor play, and family outings (a movie night, picnic, or a fun day out to the park) increase their face-to-face interactions. It’s a great way to strike a balance between technology and shared real-life experiences!

Here’s a tip: Let them choose the activities they like, which would make them more invested and excited about the experience.

Check out our handout on Screen Time Tips For Parents And Families.

Regularly check in with them about how they feel regarding social media

It’s no secret that social media can be fun, but it can also lead to negative emotions like anxiety, sadness, or pressure to fit in. It would help parents to ask their children if they have encountered anything upsetting or stressful while using social media, such as cyberbullying, feeling left out, or pressure to conform to certain standards.

Be sure to discuss the importance of prioritizing their mental and emotional health over online approval or likes.

Read this article: How Does Social Media Affect Teens?

The researchers mention that more studies are needed to understand how social media use affects teens' brain development and mental health over time.

For additional resources to support teens’ mental health concerning social media use, check out our Self-Esteem Worksheets and Social Skills Worksheets.