Does Social Media Cause Anxiety? New Study From The University of Manchester Challenges Common Fears

For years, parents and teachers have worried that scrolling through feeds and playing video games is the primary cause of the rising mental health crisis among young people.

You might feel a sense of dread every time you see a teenager glued to their phone, wondering if every hour spent online is chipping away at their well-being.

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However, according to Qiqi Cheng and a team of researchers at the Manchester Institute of Education, the link between screen time and mental health is not as simple as we once thought.

In a massive study of over 25,000 adolescents, Cheng and her colleagues found that time spent on social media or gaming does not actually predict future symptoms of anxiety or depression.

This groundbreaking research suggests we may need to stop blaming the tools themselves and start looking closer at the individual needs of each child.

Why “Screen Time” Isn’t the Enemy

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Many of us have been told that social media is a direct cause of mental health difficulties.

As Qiqi Cheng explains in the study’s findings, this common view isn’t supported by the data.

After following thousands of students in Greater Manchester for three years, the research team discovered that spending more time on TikTok or Instagram today didn’t lead to more “internalising symptoms” – the academic term for feelings of anxiety or sadness – a year later.

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This means that for most young people, these digital spaces are just a normal part of life rather than a primary source of harm.

Instead of focusing only on the “negative” effects, the researchers point out that social media can offer:

• Social connection with friends.
• A way to share experiences and feel less alone.
• Opportunities for self-expression.

Gaming and Mental Health: A Different Story for Boys and Girls

The research also looked at how video games affect our mood.

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According to Cheng’s research, the relationship between gaming and well-being depends heavily on gender.

Interestingly, the study found that for girls, playing more video games actually led to spending less time on social media later on.

For boys, the researchers noticed something even more specific: when boys felt more anxious or down, they actually reduced their gaming frequency a year later.

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This finding flips the script on the idea that “gaming addiction” is the root of their distress.

Cheng suggests a few reasons why boys might stop gaming when they are struggling:

• Loss of Interest: They may lose interest in hobbies they used to enjoy, which is a common sign of feeling low.
• Parental Rules: Parents might see their son’s low mood and take away their gaming console, thinking the game is the problem.

Active vs. Passive Use: Does It Matter?

You may have heard that “scrolling” (passive use) is worse than “chatting” (active use).

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However, when Cheng and the team tested this theory, they found it made very little difference to long-term mental health.

Whether a teenager was posting stories or just browsing feeds, the impact on their future anxiety levels remained minimal.

This suggests that simply counting hours or categorizing “how” they use an app isn’t enough to tell us if a child is at risk.

Moving Forward: What This Means for You

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The study concludes that we should move away from the “all-or-nothing” view that technology is inherently bad.

As Qiqi Cheng and the researchers highlight, digital habits are often a reflection of how a child is feeling, not the cause of it.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Focus on the “Why,” Not Just the “How Long”: Instead of just setting a timer, ask your child what they are doing online. Are they connecting with friends or trying to distract themselves from a bad day?
• Watch for Changes in Habits: If a child suddenly stops playing a game they used to love, it might be a sign they are struggling with their mood.
• Look at the Content: Experiences matter. Recent research mentioned by the team suggests that positive social media interactions can actually help reduce risky thoughts.
• Keep the Conversation Open: Rather than blaming the phone for a child’s anxiety, try to understand the deeper issues they might be facing at school or with friends.

Resource Note: If you or a young person you know is struggling with anxiety or persistent sadness, please reach out to a professional counselor or a local mental health helpline. Early support is the most effective way to manage internalising symptoms.