In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital interaction, social media platforms have become ubiquitous, shaping the ways billions of individuals communicate, seek information, and build relationships. However, alongside the undeniable benefits of these platforms emerge growing concerns about their detrimental effects on mental health and overall well-being. The pervasive nature of social media use raises critical questions regarding how technology may contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In addressing these challenges, recent research has sought to develop targeted interventions aimed at modifying users’ interactions with social media to foster improved psychological health. A pioneering study by Skeggs and Orben, published in Nature Human Behaviour in 2025, proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework rooted in self-determination theory, which elucidates how social media use impacts fundamental psychological needs and offers actionable insights for designing future interventions.
Understanding the complexities inherent in social media’s influence requires moving beyond simplistic narratives that frame platforms as either inherently harmful or beneficial. Skeggs and Orben advance the discourse by situating their analysis within the context of established behavioral change theories, particularly focusing on three core psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These components form the foundation of self-determination theory, a widely respected framework explaining human motivation and well-being. By evaluating social media’s effect on these needs, the authors provide a nuanced view that recognizes both the opportunities for positive engagement and the risks posed by certain patterns of use.
One of the critical challenges in this research area is the sheer diversity of contexts in which social media interventions may be implemented. The study delineates multiple target areas including the platform architecture itself, the devices through which users access social media, individual user behaviors, family dynamics, and broader societal influences. This multi-layered categorization reflects an appreciation for the technological, psychological, and social dimensions that intersect in shaping digital experiences. Moreover, it underscores the necessity for interventions tailored to specific environments rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
At the platform level, the design and algorithmic mechanisms play a pivotal role in shaping users’ experiences. Skeggs and Orben argue that platforms can be reconceptualized not merely as passive conduits for content transmission but as active agents with responsibility in promoting user well-being. This recognition invites the incorporation of theoretically informed design features that encourage autonomy, such as providing users with greater control over content curation and notification management. Algorithm transparency and moderation practices also become essential tools for mitigating the addictive or manipulative potentials of current social media models.
Similarly, the devices through which social media is accessed represent key leverage points for behavioral interventions. Mobile phones and tablets, for example, have introduced unprecedented portability and immediacy to social media interactions, but these characteristics may also contribute to compulsive usage patterns. The authors explore how device-level features—such as usage tracking, access limitations, and user interface modifications—can be harnessed to support psychological needs without impinging upon user freedom. This intersection of hardware design and psychological insight offers fertile ground for innovation in digital well-being technologies.
Beyond technological solutions, individual user behaviors remain a critical focus for intervention. Skeggs and Orben identify strategies aimed at increasing digital literacy and self-regulation, thereby enhancing users’ sense of competence in navigating social media landscapes healthily. Educational initiatives can empower individuals with skills to critically assess content, recognize unhealthy habits, and adopt practices conducive to maintaining social connectedness and mental resilience. The authors’ framing highlights the importance of fostering agency and self-efficacy rather than solely relying on external controls.
Family dynamics also emerge as influential in mediating social media’s impacts, especially among younger users. The research underscores opportunities for interventions that enhance communication and boundary-setting within families, promoting balanced media consumption and meaningful offline interactions. In this vein, the psychological need for relatedness is foregrounded, recognizing social support as a buffering resource against negative digital experiences. Interventions that engage family systems thus offer holistic pathways to well-being beyond individual behavior change.
On a larger scale, societal and policy-level interventions are recognized as vital complements to platform, device, user, and family-focused efforts. Skeggs and Orben draw attention to how cultural norms, regulatory frameworks, and public health initiatives can collectively shape the digital environment, fostering conditions conducive to psychological flourishing. Legislation around data privacy, content moderation policies, and educational campaigns exemplify areas where societal action can influence individual outcomes. The integration of these multiple layers within a unified theoretical lens represents a significant advancement in the systematic study of social media intervention strategies.
The authors’ conceptual innovation lies in aligning social media intervention design explicitly with self-determination theory’s psychological needs framework. Autonomy, representing the individual’s sense of volition and choice, is positioned as a pivotal target, with design features that prioritize user control shown to enhance intrinsic motivation and well-being. Competence, or the user’s perception of skillfulness and efficacy, is addressed through interventions that facilitate mastery and understanding of digital tools. Lastly, relatedness captures the essential human desire for social connection, which social media can support or undermine depending on how interactions are shaped.
Skeggs and Orben’s work further elaborates on how violating these psychological needs—through addictive design elements, social comparison triggers, or isolation-enhancing interfaces—can precipitate declines in well-being. Conversely, interventions that nurture these needs hold promise not only for mitigating risks but also for promoting positive mental health outcomes. The theoretical grounding proposed offers a roadmap for balancing technological innovation with human-centered ethical considerations.
Importantly, the study does not advocate for blanket restrictions or simplistic “time spent” metrics as primary measures of intervention success. Instead, it challenges prevailing assumptions by emphasizing the quality and context of social media interactions. For example, passive scrolling through content may erode feelings of competence and relatedness, whereas active, meaningful engagement with supportive communities can bolster well-being. This distinction informs more sophisticated metrics and intervention targets in both research and practice.
The authors also outline practical recommendations for developers, researchers, and policymakers seeking to integrate psychological theory into design. They call for collaborative efforts that bridge disciplines—including psychology, computer science, user experience design, and public health—to create interventions that are not only effective but scalable and adaptable to diverse user populations. This interdisciplinary approach is critical in addressing the complexity of social media’s impact on human well-being.
In advancing this agenda, Skeggs and Orben acknowledge existing gaps and limitations in the current evidence base. Longitudinal studies, culturally inclusive research, and real-world implementation trials remain areas ripe for expansion. The framework they propose serves as a scaffold upon which future empirical work can build more robust and generalizable knowledge regarding how to harness social media for psychological benefit rather than harm.
The implications of this research extend beyond academic inquiry into the realm of practical public health and technology design. As digital platforms increasingly mediate human interaction, understanding how to optimize these environments for psychological well-being becomes a pressing societal imperative. The framework offers hope that strategic, theory-driven interventions can transform social media from a source of distress into a tool for resilience and flourishing in contemporary life.
Ultimately, the study by Skeggs and Orben presents an innovative theoretical approach that reframes the challenge of social media well-being interventions. By centering fundamental psychological needs, categorizing intervention contexts, and offering actionable design principles, it provides a comprehensive guide for future research and practice. This work marks an important step toward reconciling the promise and peril of digital connectivity in the twenty-first century.
Subject of Research: Social media interventions designed to improve psychological well-being by applying self-determination theory and behavioral change models.
Article Title: Social media interventions to improve well-being.
Article References:
Skeggs, A., Orben, A. Social media interventions to improve well-being. Nat Hum Behav (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02167-9
Image Credits: AI Generated
