Social media negatively affects adolescent girls in particular

This 2022 study (a cross-sectional and longitudinal dataset analysis) found social media use is associated with negative impacts among adolescents – and especially younger adolescent females.

The association seems to be weaker for adults.

Side point: the authors had initially done another broader study, focusing on screen time (including social media but also other activities like video calls, homework).

This initially study didn't find any meaningful effects (between screen time and wellbeing). Following some debate, the authors conducted the 2022 study -- that was more specific to social media.