The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether social media warnings are perceived as more effective than control labels among teens and young adults, and to identify the most promising topics for social media warnings for these age groups. A secondary objective is to compare perceived message effectiveness of warnings refined using artificial intelligence (AI) vs. those not refined using AI.
Participants will complete a within-subjects online randomized experiment in which they will view and rate messages on the risk of social media use. Participants will view messages about 9 topics: 8 warning topics and 1 control topic. The 8 warning topics include 7 potential mandatory warnings (depression and anxiety, body image, addiction, sleep, mental health harms to children, not been proven safe, and California's proposed warning) and 1 voluntary warning (similar to a message used on TikTok to encourage users to take breaks). For each topic, participants will view 1-2 messages and respond to survey items about that message. All messages will be shown in random order.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,000
Participants will view a message about the risk of social media use contributing to negative body. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message suggesting user take a break from scrolling on social media. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message about the risk of social media use contributing to depression and anxiety. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Stanford School of Medicine
Palo Alto, California, United States
Perceived message effectiveness for discouraging social media use
The study will assess perceived message effectiveness for discouraging social media use with 1 item: "How much does this message discourage you from wanting to use social media?" Response options will range from "Not at all" (coded as 1) to "A great deal" (coded as 5). Higher scores indicate higher perceived message effectiveness.
Time frame: The survey will measure perceived message effectiveness immediately after participants are exposed to the message.
Awareness of the harms of social media use
The study will assess awareness of the harms of social media use with 1 item: "How much does this message increase your awareness of the harms of using social media?" Response options will range from "Not at all" (coded as 1) to "A great deal" (coded as 5). Higher scores indicate greater awareness.
Time frame: The survey will measure awareness of the harms of social media use immediately after participants are exposed to the message.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Participants will view a message warning that social media can be addictive. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message that social media use can contribute to poor sleep quality. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message about the risk of social media use contributing to mental health harms for some young people. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message warning that the use of social media has not been proven safe for young people. The message was developed by humans without using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message about encouraging seatbelt use while traveling in a vehicle.
Participants will view a message warning about the harms of social media use that mirrors the language the state of California has proposed for mandatory social media warnings.
Participants will view a message about the risk of social media use contributing to depression and anxiety. The message was developed using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message about the risk of social media use contributing to negative body. The message was developed using artificial intelligence
Participants will view a message warning that social media can be addictive. The message was developed using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message that social media use can contribute to poor sleep quality. The message was developed using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message about the risk of social media use contributing to mental health harms for some young people. The message was developed using artificial intelligence.
Participants will view a message warning that the use of social media has not been proven safe for young people. The message was developed using artificial intelligence.