Is Limiting Social Media Use Feasible for Young Adults? A 4-Study Replication Failure of a Screen Time Reduction Intervention
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Concerns about the impact of social media on young adult mental health persists despite weak and inconclusive empirical evidence. This study aimed to replicate a highly-cited study showing improved well-being after limiting time on social media (Hunt et al., 2018). Contrary to the original findings, instructing young adults to limit social media use to 30 or 60 minutes a day did not enhance well-being compared to those using it as usual. Three studies tested sources of heterogeneity in study instructions (e.g., limiting social media to real-life acquaintances) and individual differences (online anonymity; student status), with no evidence of impact on well-being over three weeks. A key problem was low adherence to time limits. A fourth study added daily reminders but close to 95% of participants still failed to adhere to social media time limits. The practicality of social media time limits as an intervention to enhance well-being is discussed.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7162821823