Leiden University Student Repository

Witvliet, Isa (2026)

Like, Share... Stress? Onderzoek naar het verband tussen schermtijd, sociale media en stress in groep 8

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

In recent years, the use of screens and social media has been rising in all areas of society. Alongside the positive effects, screens and social media can also bring negative effects, such as insecurity or sleeping problems. This could possibly lead to stress or stress could be the trigger to use screens and social media. This study tried to contribute to the existing literature on the relationship between screen time and stress levels. It also investigated the relationship between social media and stress levels, by looking at different platforms. Self-reported questionnaires on daily screen time, social media use and stress levels, were filled in by 115 Dutch participants from seven elementary schools. This study found that the overall stress levels were not associated with the use of screens. A small positive association was found between screen time and stress caused by social media and attendance at school. There were no significant differences in stresslevels between the...Show moreIn recent years, the use of screens and social media has been rising in all areas of society. Alongside the positive effects, screens and social media can also bring negative effects, such as insecurity or sleeping problems. This could possibly lead to stress or stress could be the trigger to use screens and social media. This study tried to contribute to the existing literature on the relationship between screen time and stress levels. It also investigated the relationship between social media and stress levels, by looking at different platforms. Self-reported questionnaires on daily screen time, social media use and stress levels, were filled in by 115 Dutch participants from seven elementary schools. This study found that the overall stress levels were not associated with the use of screens. A small positive association was found between screen time and stress caused by social media and attendance at school. There were no significant differences in stresslevels between the children who used and did not use sociale media. The same applies to the children who used a certain platform on social media (i.e. Whatsapp, Snapchat, Tiktok, Instagram and Youtube) and the children who did not. Overall, this study found no relation between screen time, the use of social media and the stress experienced by students in grade 8. Future research could focus on an older target group or on other aspects of social media and screen use, such as cyberbullying or the fear of missing out.Show less

Social media

stress

young adolescents

screen time

Author

Witvliet, Isa

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Parenting and Child Development

Supervisors

Vogelaar, S.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl