University of Cincinnati study links social media use over 2.5 hours daily to depression

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Northwestern University have identified a critical threshold for mental health risks associated with social media use. According to a study published in the journal npj Mental Health Research, individuals who spend more than 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per day on social media platforms show significantly higher rates of reported depression.

The study utilized machine learning to analyze 11 years of data from the Media Behaviors and Influence Study, covering over 183,000 adults aged 18 to 70. The findings suggest that social media consumption is a more potent trigger for depression than other digital activities such as watching television, browsing the internet, or playing video games.

Experts noted a shift in how these platforms function. While early social media focused on connecting known individuals, modern platforms rely on addiction-oriented algorithms designed to maximize user time. Researchers warned that these algorithms often transform users into passive viewers, weakening real-world social connections and creating a dependency on content generated by strangers.