A new study reveals that a one-week break from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X can measurably reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in young adults. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that even short periods of disconnection can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
Study Design and Key Findings
Researchers at the Open University of Catalonia recruited 373 participants aged 18–24. The participants first tracked their social media usage for two weeks, then roughly 80% voluntarily opted into a seven-day detox. Self-reported data collected before, during, and after the break showed notable improvements:
- 25% of participants reported lower rates of depression.
- 16% experienced reduced anxiety symptoms.
- 15% saw improvements in their insomnia.
The effects were strongest among those who already struggled with moderate to high levels of depression, anxiety, or sleep issues. However, the study did not find that the detox alleviated feelings of loneliness. Researchers believe this is because the abrupt absence of social interaction—comments, likes, and general engagement—left participants feeling disconnected rather than relieved.
The Bigger Picture: Social Media’s Impact on Wellbeing
The study reinforces growing concerns about the negative effects of excessive social media use. Lead researcher Josep Maria Suelves explains that while these platforms can facilitate human connection, “frequent and prolonged use can interfere with healthy behaviors” like exercise and sleep. Constant exposure to curated content and negative social influences may also contribute to sedentary lifestyles, social isolation, and even mental disorders.
Interestingly, participants didn’t eliminate screen time entirely during the detox. Average daily phone use dropped from almost two hours to just 30 minutes, suggesting that the problem isn’t necessarily device usage, but the specific type of engagement. The most frequently broken detox rules involved Instagram and Snapchat, while Facebook, X, and TikTok were less missed.
Limitations and Future Research
The study’s findings are not without caveats. Researchers acknowledge that the voluntary nature of the detox introduced bias. Participants who chose to participate may have been more motivated to see a positive outcome than those who opted out. The study population also skewed toward highly educated, college-aged women, meaning the results might not be generalizable to other demographics.
Psychology professor José Perales at the University of Granada notes that this study may fall into the “long list of inconclusive and easily overinterpreted studies” on social media’s impact. He suggests future research should measure the effect of reduced social media on other behaviors such as sedentary lifestyles or sleep patterns.
The researchers emphasize that more investigation is needed to determine the optimal duration of social media detoxes and how they affect broader populations.
Despite the limitations, the study underscores a simple point: even a short break from social media can provide tangible mental health benefits for some young adults.
