Swedish survey of 3,034 15-year-olds links messaging with close friends to higher well-being

A survey of 3,034 Swedish 15-year-olds examined not how long teenagers spend online, but whom they communicate with. The study, by researchers at Stockholm University and the University of Gothenburg, was published in the journal Child and Adolescent Mental Health. It used data from two rounds of the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, 2017/2018 and 2021/2022. wiley.comChild and Adolescent Mental Healthwiley.comOpen source ↗

The authors, led by senior author Viviane Straatmann with first author Madeleine Björnsdotter Orfanidou, pooled both rounds and fitted cross-sectional linear regression models. Well-being was assessed with the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS), a seven-question scale covering the previous two weeks. Teens reported how often they communicated online with close friends, with larger friend groups, and with virtual friends.

Close friends and wider circles

Intense online communication with close friends was positively associated with mental well-being (b = 1.63, 95% CI: 0.57–2.70). The same was true for larger friend groups (b = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.44–1.62). According to the authors, these associations remained robust after model adjustment.

Straatmann said online communication can be a valuable way to maintain and strengthen friendships with people adolescents know offline.

Virtual friends

The pattern was opposite for virtual friends. Moderate communication with them was associated with poorer well-being (b = -1.02, 95% CI: -1.50 to -0.43), as was intense communication (b = -0.61, 95% CI: -1.14 to -0.08). These associations also remained after adjustment. wiley.comChild and Adolescent Mental Healthwiley.comOpen source ↗

The authors conclude that associations between online communication and well-being differ by the type of friend, and that support for young people's online activity should consider the nature of interactions, not only time spent online.

Limits of the design

The survey captured one moment in each teenager's life, so it shows an association, not a cause. Straatmann noted that the data cannot show whether online-only relationships contribute to poorer well-being, whether teens with lower well-being are more likely to seek them, or whether both processes are involved. The sample covered only Swedish 15-year-olds, and the survey did not ask about cyberbullying or the quality of the friendships.

Straatmann said the next step is to follow the same teenagers over time. She also wants to check whether the pattern holds for neurodivergent teens, including those with ADHD or autism.