Neither Goldilocks Nor the Three Bears
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By
January 15, 2026
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5 min
A cohort study involving over 100,000 Australian adolescents highlights a U-shaped association between after-school social media use and well-being, indicating that moderate users enjoy the best outcomes. The study, led by Ben Singh, PhD at the University of South Australia, reveals that both extreme nonuse and high usage correlate with poor well-being, notably varying by sex and developmental stage. Between grades 7 and 9, high social media use significantly raised the odds of low well-being among girls, contrasting with boys, who faced a different trend in later adolescence. The findings advocate a balanced approach regarding social media engagement, emphasizing quality over mere quantity in digital interactions.
1. Study involved over 100,000 Australian adolescents. 2. Found a U-shaped association between social media use and well-being. 3. Moderate users showed the best outcomes. 4. High use raised odds of low well-being significantly, especially for girls. 5. Nonuse became problematic among later adolescents. 6. Findings suggest the need for balanced social media use guidelines. 7. Limitations: only after-school data, self-reported metrics, and no specific mental health diagnoses assessed.
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