Many teens think about and monitor how many likes they get on social media sites, such as Instagram. Some researchers think that social media may be linked to ​the rise in teen mental health problems seen today. However, there is currently no way to measure how teen brains respond to peer ​feedback ​on social media. We are hoping to develop a ​measurement tool that can be used in the MRI brain scanner that simulates a realistic social media experience and can be used to measure teen neural response to ​peer feedback. 

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COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

• Girls aged 13-17

• Use Instagram at least once per week

• Right-handed

• Speaks and reads English fluently

• Able and willing to undergo MRI scanning (not claustrophobic; no non-removable metal in the body)

• Never diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder

 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study involves one visit that will last about 2 hours. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and take part in the TeenBrainOnline experiment to measure how the brain responds to social media interactions. Some girls will also have an MRI brain scan. The MRI scan is not invasive and does not use radiation.

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Interested? 

 

 

 

Here is a short video that you can watch if you’re interested in learning more about the goals of this​ project

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Questions? Email us at TBO@pitt.edu