From Instagram to Snapchat, most people have a profile on at least one social media platform these days.
But a new study has warned that spending just five hours a day on these apps can increase your risk of depression.
Researchers from the University of Arkansas have warned that young people who spend more than 300 minutes on social media per day are 2.8 times more likely to become depressed within six months.
Dr Brian Primack, who led the study, said: “Most prior work in this area has left us with the chicken-and-egg question.
“We know from other large studies that depression and social media use tend to go together, but it’s been hard to figure out which came first.
“This new study sheds light on these questions, because high initial social media use led to increased rates of depression. However, initial depression did not lead to any change in social media use.”
The researchers sampled more than 1,000 adults, measuring the amount of time they spent on social media as well as their depression.
Their analysis showed that compared to people who spent 120 minutes or less on social media a day, people who spent over 300 minutes were 2.8 times more likely to become depressed.
Dr Cesar Escobar-Viera, co-author of the study, said: “One reason for these findings may be that social media takes up a lot of time. Excess time on social media may displace forming more important in-person relationships, achieving personal or professional goals, or even simply having moments of valuable reflection.”
The researchers hope the findings will encourage people to spend less time glued to their phones.
Dr Primack added: “These findings are also particularly important to consider in the age of COVID-19.
“Now that it’s harder to connect socially in person, we’re all using more technology like social media.
“While I think those technologies certainly can be valuable, I’d also encourage people to reflect on which tech experiences are truly useful for them and which ones leave them feeling empty.”
