A study measures how limiting social media affects teenagers
A recent investigation provides solid data on what happens when young people reduce the time they spend on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Scientists from the University of New South Wales examined a group of 220 Australian students with consumption exceeding three hours per day. 🧠
Social experiment methodology
The researchers divided the participants into two groups. The first group continued with their normal digital habits, while the second had to restrict their access to just one hour per day for four weeks. This approach allowed for a direct comparison of the effects.
Key findings on self-image:- The group that reduced their usage showed a positive and measurable change in how they viewed their own body.
- To measure this aspect, the team used a scientifically validated tool.
- In contrast, no significant variations were recorded in other indicators of overall psychological health.
The impact appears to be concentrated in specific areas, such as physical self-perception, and not broadly in general psychological well-being.
Limitations and next steps
The authors, who published the work in Technology, Mind, and Behavior, emphasize that these are initial data. The analysis period was short and the sample, although relevant, does not allow extrapolating the results to the entire teenage population.
Aspects requiring more research:- The study duration was short, so long-term effects are unknown.
- The sample was limited to a specific geographic and cultural context.
- Independent experts insist that more extensive and prolonged analyses are needed.
Practical conclusions
The evidence suggests that limiting time on social media can help teenagers perceive their body in a healthier way. However, the solution for their self-esteem does not lie in deleting accounts, but in actively managing the time they spend comparing their real lives with the idealized and filtered versions they see online. The link between digital use and youth mental health remains complex and demands more study. 🔍