A new study from George Mason University suggests that increased use of social media among college students is linked to poorer sleep quality and worse self-rated health. Published in Public Health Reports, the research analyzed data from 349 first-year students aged 18 to 24 who were part of the university’s ongoing study called “Mason: Health Starts Here.” The study found that higher social media use at the beginning of the school year predicted worse sleep quality six months later, which in turn predicted worse self-rated health six months after that. This is the first study to suggest that poor sleep may act as a link between social media use and self-rated health. The researchers observed that while overall social media use was connected to poorer sleep, nighttime use specifically did not show a clear link. Earlier studies on this topic have yielded mixed results, and the impact of social media on sleep may depend on other factors, such as the blue light from screens that can interfere with the body's production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Young adults typically spend about five hours per day on social media, and more than 85% of students in the study used platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat daily. Although experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep for young adults, previous research has shown that about a third of college students get less than seven hours each night. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a range of health issues, including depression, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The researchers emphasized that the study’s findings suggest early social media habits may have long-term effects beyond just screen time, with sleep acting as one pathway through which these habits influence how students perceive their health months later. They also noted limitations, such as the use of self-reported data and the possibility of participants dropping out of the study over time. As a result, they called for more long-term research on how social media use affects sleep and overall health. Akosua Mainoo, the study’s lead author and an alumna of George Mason University’s Department of Global and Community Health, said the findings highlight the importance of reducing social media use. “Social media is a part of everyday life for college students,” she said, “so the expectation isn’t to eliminate it. But young people can be more intentional about setting time limits and creating phone-free zones.” Distinguished professor Lawrence Cheskin, who led the study, added that “less is more” when it comes to social media use for young college students, as reducing use can create more time for face-to-face interactions with peers and others.