Social media do not automatically cause mental health problems in young adults, according to research by Professor Ernst Koster from Ghent University, as reported by VRT on Wednesday.
Professor Koster emphasises the importance of distinguishing between correlation and causation. He explains that someone who feels lonely may spend more time on social media and feel worse, but this does not necessarily mean one causes the other. Many existing studies show correlations but do not provide causal evidence.
To investigate further, Koster’s team conducted an experiment with students: one group used social media as usual, while the other limited their use to 30 minutes per day for two weeks. Variables such as rumination, social comparison, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were measured. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups. An international meta-analysis of similar experiments, involving over 4,000 participants, supported these findings.
However, Koster cautions against dismissing concerns entirely. He advocates for nuanced discussions and suggests considering age limits, particularly for young children. He notes that platforms like TikTok can be problematic as young children struggle to distinguish between real and fake content.
