Social Media “Likes” Directly Affect Young People’s Moods
If you’re the parent of an adolescent, you’ve probably worried about the role of social media on their mood and mental health. The first thing you need to know is that you’re not alone. The second thing is that you may be right to be concerned.
The Research
A team of University of Amsterdam researchers set out to determine if young people are more sensitive to social media feedback (e.g., “likes”) than adults and if it impacts their mood and engagement.
The scientists wanted to study two developmentally distinct (yet partly overlapping) periods of young adults: adolescence (ages 13 to 30) and emerging adulthood (ages 18 to 24). Why these two stages? Because they integrate distinct biological, psychological, and social changes. More specifically:
• Adolescence: puberty, physical changes, identity exploration, increased independence, and the development of more complex abilities
• Emerging adulthood: further psychosocial development (e.g., identify formation), transitions to higher education or the job market, financial independence
“Adolescence is a developmental period during which both reward and rejection sensitivity are particularly strong,” explains researcher Wouter van den Bos, an associate professor of social and behavioral sciences, “and these have, respectively, been linked to increased impulsive behavior and depressive symptoms.”
The scientists used three studies to come to their findings. These included:
- Analyzing a large dataset of real-life Instagram posts and using a computational model to capture the sensitivity to likes
- Mimicking the features of social media platforms to track changes in mood
- Using neuroimaging to show that sensitivity to social media feedback is related to individual differences in amygdala volume
The Results
The combined findings of the studies showed that compared to adults, young people in both cohorts may be more sensitive to social media feedback.
Part of the explanation lies in the fact that adolescence is marked by a heightened sensitivity to peer approval and rejection. So while getting “likes” might help young adults feel connected and boost their mood, not getting “likes” can sometimes lead to a depressed mood.
Researchers’ Recommendations
Based on the studies’ results, the team has two suggestions regarding potential interventions.
Firstly, they propose that platforms change incentive structures, shifting away from “likes” toward more meaningful engagement.
Secondly, they recommend a renewed focus on helping young adults develop skillful emotional regulation, especially in online environments.
“While social media plays an important role in fostering some aspects of youth development, such as identity formation and social connection, our study reveals that it may also present challenges, particularly relating to young people’s moods,” explains Ana da Silva Pinho, the study’s first author. “Given the growing concerns about the impact of social media on mental health, it is crucial that we further understand how young people engage with and respond to social media, while also addressing the unique aspects of their developmental stages.”
The results of the study were published in the October 23, 2024, edition of the journal Science Advances.
MBJ
Wendy Burt-Thomas writes about the brain, mental health and parenting.
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