Staying off social media isn’t always a sign of a healthy social life

New research suggests that the way adolescents use social media is not a uniform experience but rather splits into distinct personality-driven profiles that yield varying social results. The findings indicate that digital platforms largely reinforce existing friendships rather than helping isolated youth build new connections. These results were published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.

Psychologists have debated whether apps like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat help or harm adolescent development for years. Some theories propose that these platforms simulate meaningful connection and allow young people to practice social skills. Other perspectives argue that digital interactions replace face-to-face communication with superficial scrolling, leading to isolation.

However, most previous inquiries looked at average behaviors across large groups or focused on simple metrics like screen time. This approach often misses the nuance of individual habits. Real-world usage is rarely just about logging on or logging off. It involves a mix of browsing, posting, liking, and chatting.

Federica Angelini, the lead author from the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology at the University of Padova in Italy, worked with colleagues to move beyond these binary categories. They wanted to understand how specific combinations of online behaviors cluster together. They also sought to determine if a teenager’s underlying social motivations drive these habits.

The research team recognized that early adolescence is a formative period for social and emotional growth. During these years, close relationships with peers become central to a young person’s identity. Because these interactions now occur simultaneously in physical and digital spaces, the authors argued that science needs better models to capture this complexity.

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To achieve this, the team tracked 1,211 Dutch students between the ages of 10 and 15 over the course of three years. They used surveys to measure how often students looked at content, posted about themselves, interacted with others, and shared personal feelings. The researchers also assessed the students’ psychological motivations, such as the fear of missing out or a desire for popularity.

Using a statistical technique called latent profile analysis, the investigators identified four distinct types of users. The largest group, comprising about 54 percent of the participants, was labeled “All-round users.” These teens engaged in a moderate amount of all activities, from scrolling to posting.

The study found that All-round users generally maintained moderate-to-high quality friendships throughout the three-year period. Their digital habits appeared to be an extension of a healthy offline social life. They used these platforms to keep in touch and share experiences with friends they already saw in person.

The second largest group, making up roughly 30 percent, was identified as “Low users.” These individuals rarely engaged with social media in any form, whether passive scrolling or active posting. While it might seem beneficial to be less dependent on screens, the data showed a different story for this specific group.

These Low users reported lower quality friendships at the start of the research compared to their peers. Their lack of online engagement appeared to mirror a lack of connection in the real world. Without a strong peer group to interact with, they had little motivation to log on. The data suggests they were not simply opting out of technology but were missing out on the social reinforcement that happens online.

A smaller group, about 8 percent, was termed “High self-disclosing users.” These adolescents frequently used digital platforms to share personal feelings, secrets, and emotional updates. They tended to prefer online communication over face-to-face talk.

This group scored higher on measures of anxiety and depression. The researchers suggest these teens might use the internet to compensate for difficulties in offline social situations. The reduced pressure of online chat, which lacks nonverbal cues like eye contact, may make it easier for them to open up. Despite their emotional struggles, this group maintained high-quality friendships, suggesting their vulnerability online helped sustain their bonds.

The final group, labeled “High self-oriented users,” made up roughly 7 percent of the sample. These teens focused heavily on posting content about themselves but showed less interest in what peers were doing. They were driven by a desire for status and attention.

Unlike the other groups, High self-oriented users were less concerned with the fear of missing out. Their primary goal appeared to be self-promotion rather than connection. Notably, this was the only group that saw a decline in the quality of their close friendships over the three years. Their focus on gaining an audience rather than engaging in reciprocal friendship likely failed to deepen their personal relationships.

The analysis revealed that social media generally acts as an amplifier of offline social dynamics. Teens with strong existing friendships used the platforms to maintain those bonds. Those with weaker connections did not seem to benefit from the technology.

This supports the idea that the benefits of social media rely heavily on pre-existing relationships. Adolescents who struggle socially in person may find it difficult to use these tools to build meaningful relationships from scratch. Instead of bridging the gap, the technology might leave them further behind.

The study also highlighted the role of motivation. Teens who used social media to seek status were more likely to fall into the self-oriented or self-disclosing categories. Those who simply wanted to stay in the loop tended to be All-round users.

There are limitations to consider regarding this research. The data relied on self-reported surveys, which can sometimes be inaccurate as people may not remember their habits perfectly. Additionally, the study was conducted in the Netherlands, so the results might not apply universally to adolescents in other cultural contexts.

The researchers noted that some participants dropped out of the study over the three years, which is common in longitudinal work. The study also did not strictly differentiate between friends met online versus friends met offline, though most participants indicated they communicated with people they knew in real life.

Future research could benefit from using objective measures, such as tracking app usage data directly from smartphones. It would also be beneficial to investigate how these profiles evolve as teens move into young adulthood. Understanding these patterns could help parents and educators tailor their advice, rather than giving generic warnings about screen time.

The study, “Adolescent social media use profiles: A longitudinal study of friendship quality and socio-motivational factors,” was authored by Federica Angelini, Ina M. Koning, Gianluca Gini, Claudia Marino, and Regina J.J.M. van den Eijnden.