Title: Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health | National Center for Health Research
Headings: Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health
Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health
What are the different social media platforms and how are they used?
The benefits of social media
Is social media related to mental health problems?
What can parents do?
Tips for managing social media use
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Content: Facebook lets users share photos, videos, and articles, information about their lives, as well as chat with friends and more. YouTube allows users to share original videos, such as music, cooking, make-up tutorials, and vlogs (video blogs). Twitter allows users to share their thoughts and personal updates in 280 characters or less, as well as share pictures. All of these social media platforms are used to communicate with friends and are also popular sources of news and for following what celebrities post. Social Media Platform
% of 13-17 year olds using
% of 18-24 year olds using
Snapchat
69
78
Instagram
72
71
Facebook
51
80
Twitter
32
45
Youtube
85
94
1,3
The benefits of social media
According to a 2018 survey, 31% of adolescents believe that social media has a mostly positive impact on their life.1 Adolescence is a time when connections with peers is increasingly important,4 and social media provides opportunities for social connection. It can help young people form communities, keep in touch with friends who do not live nearby, and it can provide a place to get social support.5,6 Social media can provide a valuable connection to one’s peers. Is social media related to mental health problems? Although social media can allow people to reach out and connect with others, it can also make some people feel worse.7 Almost 25% of adolescents believe that social media has a mostly negative effect.1
With 13% of 12-17 year olds reporting depression and 32% reporting anxiety, mental illness is a concern for adolescent health.8 It is a concern for young adults as well, since 25% of 18-25 year olds report having some form of mental illness.9 Depression is particularly increasing among girls.10 Some researchers have suggested that this increase in mental illness is, at least in part, connected to the rise of social media use among adolescents and young adults.10
How might social media harm mental health? Many studies have found an association between time spent on social media as well as the number of social media platforms used, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.7,11 Most of these studies indicate that time spent on social media is correlated with depression and anxiety, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that social media causes these problems. It is unclear whether using social media leads to depression and anxiety symptoms, or if people who are already more depressed or more anxious use social media more than their peers do.