A new study published in Behavior Genetics offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on the ongoing debate over social media’s impact on well-being.
Using genetically informative data from over 6,000 twins in the Netherlands, researchers have found that while the link between social media use and well-being exists, it is small—and is at least partly driven by shared genetic factors rather than social media itself.
Amid widespread concern and polarizing headlines about how platforms like Instagram and TikTok affect mental health—especially among adolescents—this research takes a deeper look beneath the surface. The findings suggest that rather than social media directly causing poor mental health or happiness, the same genetic traits that influence how people feel may also influence how they engage with social media.
“Our research helps move the conversation away from simplistic claims that social media is either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for everyone,” said Selim Sametoglu, the lead author of the research. “We show that the effects are modest, and more importantly, at least partly shaped by individual genetic differences.”
Building on these findings, the researchers hope to instigate more studies on diverse populations and examine how new digital technologies intersect with individual traits. The goal is to better understand who might be most vulnerable—or most resilient—to the effects of online engagement.
Key findings of the study
- Small associations were found between social media use and well-being, with most being either negligible or statistically minor.
- Genetic influences explained up to 72% of the variation in how much time people spend on social media.
- The small links between social media use and symptoms of depression or anxiety appear to be partly explained by shared genetic factors.
- People with higher well-being tended to use more platforms, but more passively (browsing rather than posting). Those with lower well-being were more likely to post frequently on fewer platforms.
- Interestingly, while most well-being measures were slightly negatively related to social media use, the trait of flourishing—a sense of thriving—was positively associated with greater use.
The research team analyzed responses from 6,492 twins aged 16 to 89 (average age: 35) from the Netherlands Twin Register. Participants reported on various aspects of well-being, including life satisfaction, purpose, and anxious-depressive symptoms. Social media use was assessed by time spent, frequency of posting, and number of platforms used. A classical twin study design allowed the researchers to disentangle the influence of genetics, shared environment, and individual environment.
This study offers valuable insight for researchers, educators, policymakers, and parents navigating a complex digital landscape. Rather than panicking over the generalized harms of social media, it encourages a more personalized, evidence-based approach.
Selim states, “We shouldn’t let headlines like ‘social media is toxic’ distract us from what really matters: each person’s unique background and current state of life. Simply blaming social media use, or restricting access to platforms, won’t solve our well-being and mental health challenges. Instead, we need to focus on the individual—because genes, context, and support all matter.”