2026-07-21 カロリンスカ研究所（KI）
＜関連情報＞
- https://news.ki.se/social-media-use-during-adolescence-not-linked-to-later-mental-ill-health
- https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(26)00162-X/fulltext
青年期におけるソーシャルメディア利用時間の長期的な影響が若年成人期の精神衛生に及ぼす影響：スウェーデンにおけるコホート研究 Long-Term Consequences of Time Spent on Social Media in Adolescence on Mental Health in Young Adulthood: A Cohort Study From Sweden
Martina Zetterqvist ∙ Jonas Raninen, Ph.D. ∙ Isabella Gripe, Ph.D. ∙ Mats Ramstedt, Ph.D. ∙ Geir Scott Brunborg, Ph.D.
Journal of Adolescent Health Published:July 21, 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2026.04.019
Abstract
Purpose
There are growing concerns that social media may negatively impact adolescents’ mental health. However, most studies are cross-sectional, or short-term longitudinal studies, limiting conclusions about long-term effects. We examined if time spent on social media at age 15/16 is positively associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety 5 years later, and explored effect modification by gender, socioeconomic status, and physical activity.
Methods
We analyzed data from a nationally representative cohort of Swedish adolescents. In 2017, 5,535 ninth-grade students (age 15/16) completed a self-report survey. In 2022, 3,193 completed a follow-up assessment. The number of hours per day on social media was self-reported; depression and anxiety were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4.
Results
In unadjusted linear regression models, time spent on social media at age 15/16 was positively associated with anxiety and depression 5 years later, but these associations were no longer significant after adjusting for confounders (b = −0.00, 95% confidence interval: −0.03,0.03; b = 0.02, 95% confidence interval: −0.00,0.05). No significant effect modification by gender, socioeconomic status, or physical activity was observed.
Discussion
Although initial findings suggested a link between time spent on social media and later mental health symptoms, the associations did not persist after adjustment for confounders. This indicates that time spent on social media may have limited long-term effects on mental health. These findings are, however, limited to self-reported time spent on social media and further investigation into different types of social media activities are needed to better understand how social media use should be regulated.
