A major new study has confirmed a troubling link: as preteens spend more time on social media, their risk of experiencing depressive symptoms rises significantly—a finding with profound implications for parents, educators, and policymakers in Thailand and around the world. The longitudinal research, published in JAMA Network Open and conducted by a team at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), tracked nearly 12,000 children over three years and delivered the strongest evidence yet that increased screen time can actually cause later depression in youth, not just reflect existing mood changes. For a country like Thailand, where smartphone and social media penetration among youth have soared, these findings raise urgent questions about digital wellbeing and mental health support for the next generation.
The study’s importance stems from its ability to distinguish cause and effect, a challenge that has persisted in youth mental health research for over a decade. While it has long been observed that social media and depression tend to rise together, researchers have struggled to determine which comes first. This new research answers the question: increases in social media use precede increases in depression—not the other way around. This is highly relevant for Thai society, where surveys show children and teens are increasingly “always-online,” paralleling concerns over mounting rates of anxiety, sadness, and suicide attempts among young people (neurosciencenews.com).
Researchers at UCSF examined data from the large-scale Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, following children ages 9 to 10 and tracking their habits and mood through early adolescence (ages 12 to 13). Over the three-year period, average daily social media use by these children skyrocketed from just seven minutes to a staggering 73 minutes daily—an increase of over tenfold. During the same period, reported depressive symptoms jumped by 35%. Crucially, sophisticated statistical modeling revealed that greater social media engagement predicted later depressive symptoms, but those who started with more depressive symptoms were not more likely to subsequently increase their social media use. This insight supports the idea that online environments themselves may be fueling mental health struggles in youth.
Expert opinions from the research team help interpret these findings. The lead author, an associate professor in UCSF’s Department of Pediatrics, noted: “There has been ongoing debate about whether social media contributes to depression or simply reflects underlying depressive symptoms. These findings provide evidence that social media may be contributing to the development of depressive symptoms.” The research was further underpinned by grants from the US National Institutes of Health and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, ensuring its credibility and rigorous methodologies.
One of the most alarming revelations from the study concerns cyberbullying. A separate analysis of the same group of children, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, found preteens who experienced cyberbullying were more than 2.5 times as likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts the following year. The risks extended beyond mental health: cyberbullied youth were found to be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse—including being 4.65 times likelier to try marijuana and over three times more likely to use nicotine compared to their non-cyberbullied peers.
The Thai context makes these findings especially pressing. According to data from the Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, over 90% of Thai adolescents use smartphones, with a large majority active on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LINE. These digital spaces are crucial for social connection, particularly in a culture where communal life and peer group engagement—both online and offline—are highly valued (statista.com). However, the boundary between healthy connection and harmful overexposure is increasingly blurred, as Thai schools and parents have discovered during the rapid shift to online learning and socializing that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local mental health professionals have voiced growing concerns. A senior child and adolescent psychiatrist at a major public hospital in Bangkok explains that “we are seeing a rise in young patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety related to social media pressures, cyberbullying, and disrupted sleep patterns.” Many of these children, the psychiatrist notes, are reluctant to speak openly about their struggles due to persisting stigma around mental illness in Thai culture, which can delay treatment and worsen outcomes.
Traditional Thai values around family closeness and parental guidance can be both a protective factor and a source of tension. While many Thai families encourage open communication, technological skills gaps between generations often leave parents feeling ill-equipped to monitor or guide their children’s digital lives. In response to findings like those from UCSF, some Thai schools—particularly in urban settings—are implementing digital literacy programs and mental health curricula designed to support students’ emotional resilience and teach responsible online behaviors.
Globally and in Thailand, mental health professionals and child advocacy groups recommend a multi-pronged approach. The American Academy of Pediatrics, cited in the UCSF study, urges parents to adopt structured media use plans—setting boundaries for screen-free times (such as during meals and before bed) and maintaining open, non-judgmental conversations with children about their online experiences (aap.org). The UCSF research team emphasizes that “simply telling children to ‘get off your phone’ doesn’t really work.” Instead, they recommend that parents model healthy habits, involve children in setting household screen rules, and seek support when mental health concerns arise (JAMA Network Open).
Looking forward, this study is likely to inform future guidelines issued by Thai authorities. The Public Health Ministry and Ministry of Education have both signaled interest in introducing nationwide policies that address digital wellbeing in schools, including teacher training on cyberbullying prevention, promoting digital detox initiatives, and investing in early detection of depression and anxiety.
For many Thai readers, especially parents and teachers, the take-home message is clear and urgent. Social media is now woven into the fabric of everyday life, offering both opportunities and real risks for youth well-being. The strongest evidence to date shows that more time online can increase the likelihood of developing depression and expose children to dangers like cyberbullying and risky behaviors. Adults should take proactive steps: model mindful digital habits, encourage screen-free family time, educate children to navigate online risks, and create an environment where young people feel safe to share their challenges. Seeking professional support early can also prevent more severe mental health issues later.
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