PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A local clinical psychologist is getting a big boost in federal funding to investigate social media's role in the youth mental health crisis. Jacqueline Nesi, a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor at Brown University, has been awarded $4.09 million from The Nation Institute of Health. She plans to conduct a study with 200 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16, researching depression and anxiety symptoms. Assessments will be made at the six, 12, and 18 month milestones. ALSO READ: 6 tips for navigating social media with your kids The results of the study are expected to provide better insight into social media's influence on mental health in young people, as well as identify targets for future clinical, educational, and public health interventions.  "These technologies are really hard to resist," Nesi told 12 News in July. "In some ways, many of these technologies are built to make it so we have a hard time putting them down and we want to keep coming back to them, and kids can't necessarily regulate that on their own especially when they are younger. They do need some external help from parents to manage that."  The study will have a youth advisory board to give feedback, ensuring the research remains relevant to the experiences of teens today.  The study will run through May 2025. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW