Social NetworksPURPLENCT06798480
Prevalence of Problematic Use of Social Media
An observational study of Social Networks and Addiction, run by Hospices Civils de Lyon at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
In 2023, French individuals spend an average of two hours per day on social media platforms (SM), primarily Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. While social media offers undeniable benefits, it also raises concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Social Networks, Addiction
- What is being tested?
- Self-administered survey
- How many people
- 1,000 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2025to 1 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 13 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Panel population (probability sample):The first study population will consist of a panel of 3,900 participants provided by the Selvitys Institute. These participants are selected using probability sampling methods to ensure that they are representative of the general French population aged 13 years or older. The selection is based on key demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and geographic location, level of education, ensuring a diverse and balanced sample. Social media population (non-probability sample):The second study population will consist of individuals who voluntarily respond to the online self-administered questionnaire through recruitment campaigns on social media platforms. This non-probability sample is composed of individuals who actively use social media and are interested in participating. As participation is voluntary, the sample may not fully represent the broader French population but will provide insights into social media users' behavior and experiences
Who may be able to join
- Aged 13 years or older.
- Resident in France and French-speaking.
- Does not object to participating in the study, and, for minors, whose parents also do not object to their participation.
Who cannot join
- Unable to understand and complete the questionnaire (e.g., non-French-speaking).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France1 site
Hospices Civils de Lyon
Lyon, 69003
Julia DE TERNAY, Dr, +33 04 72 11 78 52 ext. +33, Julia.daviau-de-ternay@chu-lyon.fr
Julia DE TERNAY, Dr
About this study
Official title: Prevalence of Problematic Use of Social Media in the General PopuLation
In 2023, French individuals spend an average of two hours per day on social media platforms (SM), primarily Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. While social media offers undeniable benefits, it also raises concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. These impacts remain poorly understood, partly due to the diversity of social media uses and motivations, which do not have uniform effects on health. For instance, studies have shown that "active" use of social media (e.g., content creation) is associated with higher well-being, whereas "passive" use (e.g., content scrolling) is linked to lower well-being.
This challenge in understanding the variety of social media uses and their consequences has direct clinical implications. Clinicians working in pediatrics, child psychiatry, and addiction medicine are increasingly confronted with patients struggling to manage their social media use. However, they lack clear diagnostic criteria to differentiate between normal and problematic use, as well as specific tools tailored to address potential disorders.
Read more
Moreover, in France, there is no existing estimate of the proportion of the general population affected by problematic social media use.
This study aims to establish the prevalence of problematic use of social media in France. The investigators hypothesize that the prevalence will be close to 10%, which is the prevalence that has been found in other European countries in previous studies.
- Conditions
- Social Networks, Addiction
- Being tested
- Self-administered survey
- Keywords
- Problematic use, social media, addiction
- Medical subject headings
- Behavior, Addictive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Self-administered surveyOther
An anonymous self-administered online questionnaire hosted on LimeSurvey, lasting approximately 20 minutes, will be completed by participants. A panel of participants representative of the general population will be provided by the Selvitys Institute. In parallel, the self-administered questionnaire will also be distributed via posts on social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X) over a period of three months.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Social media users | All French individuals aged 13 years or older who use social media Receives: Other: Self-administered survey |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Prevalence of problematic use of social media.
Outcome measure: Problematic use will be identified if the participant endorses at least 6 out of 9 items on the French version of the Social Media Addiction Scale. The prevalence of problematic use will be calculated as the number of participants with problematic use divided by the total number of participants.
Measured: baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jan 2025
- Study start1 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jul 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Social NetworksStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hospices Civils de LyonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 1,000 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hospices Civils de Lyon
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Julia DE TERNAY, Dr, Principal investigator, Hospices Civils de Lyon
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06798480
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 69HCL24_0042
- Other IDs
- 2024-A02539-38
- Acronym
- PURPLE
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Mar 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Mar 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prevalence of Problematic Use of Social Media in the General PopuLation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06798480
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PURPLE / 69HCL24_0042
- Conditions
- Social Networks, Addiction
- Keywords
- Problematic use, social media, addiction
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 1,000 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hospices Civils de LyonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In 2023, French individuals spend an average of two hours per day on social media platforms (SM), primarily Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. While social media offers undeniable benefits, it also raises concerns about its impact on mental health and well-being. These impacts remain poorly understood, partly due to the diversity of social media uses and motivations, which do not have uniform effects on health. For instance, studies have shown that "active" use of social media (e.g., content creation) is associated with higher well-being, whereas "passive" use (e.g., content scrolling) is linked to lower well-being.
This challenge in understanding the variety of social media uses and their consequences has direct clinical implications. Clinicians working in pediatrics, child psychiatry, and addiction medicine are increasingly confronted with patients struggling to manage their social media use. However, they lack clear diagnostic criteria to differentiate between normal and problematic use, as well as specific tools tailored to address potential disorders.
Moreover, in France, there is no existing estimate of the proportion of the general population affected by problematic social media use.
This study aims to establish the prevalence of problematic use of social media in France. The investigators hypothesize that the prevalence will be close to 10%, which is the prevalence that has been found in other European countries in previous studies.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Social media users | – | Other: Self-administered surveyAll French individuals aged 13 years or older who use social media |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Panel population (probability sample):The first study population will consist of a panel of 3,900 participants provided by the Selvitys Institute. These participants are selected using probability sampling methods to ensure that they are representative of the general French population aged 13 years or older. The selection is based on key demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and geographic location, level of education, ensuring a diverse and balanced sample. Social media population (non-probability sample):The second study population will consist of individuals who voluntarily respond to the online self-administered questionnaire through recruitment campaigns on social media platforms. This non-probability sample is composed of individuals who actively use social media and are interested in participating. As participation is voluntary, the sample may not fully represent the broader French population but will provide insights into social media users' behavior and experiences
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Aged 13 years or older.
- Resident in France and French-speaking.
- Does not object to participating in the study, and, for minors, whose parents also do not object to their participation.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Unable to understand and complete the questionnaire (e.g., non-French-speaking).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Self-administered surveyAn anonymous self-administered online questionnaire hosted on LimeSurvey, lasting approximately 20 minutes, will be completed by participants. A panel of participants representative of the general population will be provided by the Selvitys Institute. In parallel, the self-administered questionnaire will also be distributed via posts on social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X) over a period of three months. | Other | Social media users |
Primary outcome
Prevalence of problematic use of social media.
Time frame: baseline
Outcome measure: Problematic use will be identified if the participant endorses at least 6 out of 9 items on the French version of the Social Media Addiction Scale. The prevalence of problematic use will be calculated as the number of participants with problematic use divided by the total number of participants.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Mar 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Julia DE TERNAY, Dr principal investigator
Hospices Civils de Lyon
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Social Networks and Addiction, run by Hospices Civils de Lyon at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Mar 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Julia DE TERNAY, Dr (+33 04 72 11 78 52 ext. +33, julia.daviau-de-ternay@chu-lyon.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Prevalence of problematic use of social media. (time frame: baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Mar 2025.