Citation

Vidal C, Lhaksampa T, Miller L, Platt R. Int. Rev. Psychiatry 2020; 32(3): 235-253.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540261.2020.1720623

PMID

32065542

PMCID

PMC7392374

Abstract

There have been increases in adolescent depression and suicidal behaviour over the last two decades that coincide with the advent of social media (SM) (platforms that allow communication via digital media), which is widely used among adolescents. This scoping review examined the bi-directional association between the use of SM, specifically social networking sites (SNS), and depression and suicidality among adolescents. The studies reviewed yielded four main themes in SM use through thematic analysis: quantity of SM use, quality of SM use, social aspects associated with SM use, and disclosure of mental health symptoms. Research in this field would benefit from use of longitudinal designs, objective and timely measures of SM use, research on the mechanisms of the association between SM use and depression and suicidality, and research in clinical populations to inform clinical practice.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adolescent; adolescents; Depression; Suicide; Adolescent Behavior; suicidality; depression; Social media; Social Media; Online Social Networking; social networking sites