A study was conducted to investigate the association between social media use and mental health outcomes among adolescents. Researchers recruited a sample of 500 adolescents and collected data on their social media use and mental health symptoms over a one-year period. The study found a positive association between social media use and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

1. What is the study design of this research?
2. What are some possible confounding variables that may impact the association between social media use and mental health outcomes?
3. Can we make a causal conclusion from this observational study?