Long-Term Study Links Over 150 Minutes Daily Social Media Use to Higher Depression Rates in U.S. Adults
A comprehensive long-term study published in the journal npj Mental Health Research has found a consistent correlation between increased daily social media use and higher rates of self-reported depression among U.S. adults. The research, which analyzed 11 separate yearly surveys from 2014 to 2024, involved over 180,000 participants aged 18 to 70. The study identified a 'tipping point' around 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of daily social media use, beyond which the link to depression became notably stronger. While the study acknowledges it cannot prove causation, it consistently showed that social media use became a more prominent predictor of depression in later years, even surpassing other digital activities like gaming, TV, and email in its predictive strength in some models. The findings remained consistent across different presidential administrations and the rise of various social media platforms, suggesting a robust and enduring association. 
