Social Media Use in Adolescent Diabetes Care

Social Media Use in Adolescent Diabetes Care

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of a social media intervention to support diabetes management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Adolescent participants will be randomized to receive diabetes education and peer support over Instagram or to usual outpatient diabetes care. Researchers will assess whether the social media intervention is feasible. In addition, the study team will also explore and compare changes in glucose levels and person-reported outcomes between the two groups.

The majority of adolescents with type 1 diabetes do not meet recommended glycemic targets, placing them at risk for acute and chronic diabetes-related complications. Strategies that improve adolescent diabetes self-management are needed. Social media offers new opportunities to provide diabetes education and peer support through communication in a digital environment.

As part of a randomized controlled trial, adolescent participants will be randomized to receive diabetes education and peer support over Instagram in addition to usual care or to standard outpatient diabetes care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes ≥12 months
• Most recent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level is > 7.0%
• Currently use Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system
• Speak English fluently
• Cognitively able to participate in program on Instagram and complete surveys
• Have access to a personal Instagram account
• Found to be eligible on the Social Media Preference Screener

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient is a ward of the state
• Patient is pregnant as diabetes standard of care is different during pregnancy (i.e., different glycemic targets and frequency of clinic visits)
• Severe comorbidities including other major chronic health conditions that significantly impact daily management demands or health outcomes