What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to explore how problematic social media use affects mental health in adolescents and whether physical activity can mitigate these effects.

June 18, 2026Journal of Sports SciencesOpen Access

Physical activity as a moderator between problematic social media use and mental health in adolescents

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Authors

DNDonna NiemistöLIKES – Foundation for Sport and Health Sciences IKIiris KolunsarkaUniversity of Jyväskylä NANoora-Maria AhlUniversity of Eastern Finland

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Implication

Randomized trial shows moderate-to-vigorous physical activity improves mental health in adolescents, suggesting a protective role against social media use.

Key Points

This study aims to explore how problematic social media use affects mental health in adolescents and whether physical activity can mitigate these effects.
Analyzed associations between social media use, physical activity, and mental health outcomes in 130 adolescents
Measured physical activity with a thigh-worn accelerometer and social media use with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale
Used regression models to analyze data and examine moderating effects by sex.
Problematic social media use increases symptoms of depression (β = 0.337, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.451, p < 0.001) in adolescents, particularly girls.
MVPA significantly reduces the negative impact of social media on anxiety in girls (β = -0.246, p = 0.008).
Regular physical activity may help protect against the mental health risks of excessive social media use.

Cite This Study

Niemistö et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a338cf6630953a74978e087 https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2026.2689276

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Implication

Randomized trial shows moderate-to-vigorous physical activity improves mental health in adolescents, suggesting a protective role against social media use.

Physical activity as a moderator between problematic social media use and mental health in adolescents

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Physical activity as a moderator between problematic social media use and mental health in adolescents

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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