Researchers at Montreal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital Link Social Media and Television to Depression in Teenagers

A new study by researchers at Montreal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital exonerates video games and blames social media and television in particular for an increase in depressive symptoms in teenagers.

The four-year study (2012 – 2018), led by Dr. Patricia Conrod, found a common vulnerability toward high levels of screen time and high levels of depression.

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram expose teenagers with images that promote upward social comparison, which makes them feel bad about themselves, Conrod told CBC News.

“These sort of echo chambers — these reinforcing spirals — also continually expose them to things that promote or reinforce their depression,” said Conrod, “and that’s why it’s particularly toxic for depression.”

The study found no link between the increase in screen time and reduced activities that might decrease depressive symptoms.

Surprising the study revealed that time spent playing video games was not contributing to depressive symptoms.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.