A meta-analysis of research by University College London (UCL) has found that reducing use of social media for those to which usage has grown “problematic” can improve mental health outcomes across a range of areas.

UCL researchers analysed 23 global studies conducted between 2004 and 2022 and found that in more than a third of studies (39 per cent), social media use interventions improved mental wellbeing.

The main outcomes related to mental well-being reported in the studies were depression, life satisfaction, anxiety, fear of missing out (FOMO), mental well-being, positive affect, negative affect, loneliness, stress, self-esteem, and mindfulness.

Depression was observed as being the most improved outcome overall, with 70 per cent of the studies that assessed depression showing it improved with abstinence from social media.

Dr Ruth Plackett, UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health and leader of the meta-analysis, noted that mental health issues are rising along with the amount of people who use social media.

However, in prefacing the meta-analysis, she said that health and care professionals should be aware that reducing time spent on social media is “unlikely to benefit mental wellbeing on its own”.

"Instead, taking a more therapy-based approach and reflecting on how and why we are interacting with social media and managing those behaviours could help improve mental health."

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