New research indicates that even a short break from social media can have a measurable positive impact on mental health. In a study involving 295 young adults aged 18–24, participants reported notable improvements in symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia after limiting their social media use for only one week. The age group chosen is significant: this demographic is among the heaviest social media users, and simultaneously at higher risk of psychological distress.
The scientific community has long debated the connection between social media and mental health. While many people personally report feeling better after reducing screen time, previous research relying heavily on self-reporting has produced mixed and often inconsistent results. This study marks a step forward by using objective digital data rather than memory-based estimates.
Digital phenotyping for more reliable insights
Instead of asking participants how much time they spent online, researchers applied digital phenotyping. A passive smartphone data collection method that records app use, GPS, screen activity and movement. This approach reduces recall bias and offers a more accurate picture of real-world behaviour.
The study consisted of three weeks of monitoring. During the first two weeks, participants used social media normally, generating baseline data. In the third week, they attempted a "social media detox" by significantly reducing activity on major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X. Throughout the period, participants logged daily mood and symptom ratings using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), capturing well-being in real time rather than retrospectively.
Symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia decreased
The results, published in JAMA Network Open, are striking. During the detox week:
- Anxiety symptoms decreased by 16.1%
- Depression symptoms fell by 24.8%
- Insomnia complaints dropped by 14.5%
Average usage dropped from 1.9 hours daily to just 30 minutes. A small subset of participants, around 6%, stopped using social media entirely for the week.
However, the researchers note substantial individual variation. The strongest improvements occurred in those who initially displayed problematic usage patterns, such as addictive engagement or frequent social comparison. For these individuals, reduced exposure may have limited triggers for negative self-evaluation or reward-seeking behaviour. The findings suggest that the quality of online interaction may matter more than total screen time.
Interestingly, loneliness did not improve. This aligns with the idea that social platforms can support connection and community, particularly for young adults. Reducing usage may eliminate harmful engagement patterns without necessarily replacing social interaction.
Promising, but limited, results
While the methodology reduced digital usage bias, the study cannot yet answer long-term questions. There was no randomised control group, and participants volunteered, meaning many likely expected positive effects, which could influence outcomes. No follow-up was conducted to see whether benefits persisted beyond the detox week.
Still, the authors believe the findings are valuable for clinical practice. A temporary reduction in social media could serve as a low-cost, accessible component of mental health treatment, particularly for young people experiencing digital overwhelm, comparison stress or compulsive platform use.
"Reducing social media for one week may improve mental health in young adults, but long-term durability and behavioural relevance require further investigation", according to the researchers. Future research will need to determine how sustained these benefits are, and whether structured digital-wellness interventions could support mental resilience more broadly. Social media detox may not be a cure, but the evidence suggests it could become a simple, scalable tool within digital-age mental healthcare, one week at a time.
