The Effect of Active and Passive Social Media Use on Sleep Quality, Moderated by Social Media Self-Regulation Failure

Abstract

Research shows that high usage of social media is related to sleep disorders, but it is unclear if this effect differs by type of social media use and may depend on social media self-regulation failure (SMSRF). Therefore, this study examined whether active and passive social media use differed in their effect on the quality of sleep among adolescents, and if the effect of social media use on sleep quality was stronger for adolescents with high levels of SMSRF compared to adolescents with low levels of SMSRF. In this analysis of a two-wave longitudinal study, 660 Dutch adolescents aged 11-17 years, completed an online questionnaire. The findings of hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that active use of social media did not significantly predict sleep quality over time. Passive social media use was negatively associated with sleep quality over time, but this association was not significant. SMSRF significantly moderated the association between passive social media use and sleep quality, where the effect of passive social media use on decreased sleep quality was stronger for adolescents with higher levels of SMSRF. More research into the different effects of active and passive social media use is needed to potentially reduce the impact of social media on adolescents through interventions.