Wellesley Centers for Women

Joining social media before age 11 is associated with problematic digital behaviors

A new study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that using Instagram or Snapchat before age 11 was significantly related to more problematic digital behaviors. Parental restrictions on phone use and checking social media ameliorated some of the negative effects.

SourceWellesley Centers for Women·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateOct 27, 2021

Quantity, content, and context of social media use may affect adolescents' sleep

A new study found that social media quantity, content, and context significantly impact adolescents' sleep. Excessive screen time and disturbing content before bed were associated with later bedtime and reduced sleep duration. In contrast, reading books before bed was linked to an earlier bedtime.

SourceWellesley Centers for Women·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateNov 2, 2020