Research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology indicates that heavy social media use among teenagers and parents does not correlate with poorer family bonds, challenging common concerns about digital intrusion into family life.
New research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggests that heavy social media use may not be the family threat many parents fear. In a six-wave study following children from age 10 to 20, researchers found no evidence that either teenagers’ or parents’ social media habits were linked to poorer family relationships, weaker attachment or reduced family functioning over time, according to the study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
The work, led by Habib Niyaraq Nobakht with Lars Wichstrøm and Silje Steinsbekk, followed nearly 1,000 young people born in Trondheim between 2003 and 2004. The team tracked how often participants checked social media, how actively they used it and how much time they spent online, combining interviews with phone-based data. Parents were also asked about their own use, including whether they felt it had become problematic.
The findings add a more reassuring note to a field that has produced mixed results. A systematic review in the Journal of Family Studies found that social media can sometimes support family connectedness, but may also interfere with meaningful interaction, showing that the issue is not simply about screen time. Other research has pointed in a similar direction, suggesting that the purpose of social media use may matter more than the amount of time spent online.
Nobakht said the study suggests ordinary variation in social media use is unlikely to be a major force shaping family life. Even parents who described their own use as excessive did not report worse relationships. The researchers did, however, warn that their study did not test situations in which phones intrude on shared moments, such as family meals, which may still create tension at home.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
