The complex association between social media use intensity and adolescent wellbeing: A longitudinal investigation of five factors that may affect the association

The present study examined five possible explanations for the mixed findings on association between adolescents' social media use (SMU) intensity and wellbeing. Particularly, it investigated whether SMU life satisfaction depended (1) type of activity adolescent engaged in, (2) (non)linearity association, (3) individual differences, (4) inclusion problems, (5) level analysis. Data from four waves longitudinal data among 1419 adolescents were used (Mage(T1) = 12.51 (0.60), 45.95% girl). Multilevel analyses showed that at within-person level, average, changes in different types activities not associated with satisfaction. Within individuals, associations ranged negative to positive across adolescents. In general, this variation could be explained by engagement upward comparisons. At between-person higher average certain activities, lower their However, these confounded adolescents’ problems. No curvilinear found. Overall, underline enhance our understanding wellbeing adolescence, is important acknowledge heterogeneity effects, distinguish disentangle within-from effects.