“The less you are connected with human beings in a deep, empathic way, the less you’re really getting the benefits of a social interaction,” says Alexandra Hamlet, Psy.D., clinical psychologist. Her sentiments are echoed by a growing trend among parents, teachers, and mental health professionals about the impact of social media on the emotional lives of teenagers.
Current studies indicate that over-identification with social media has been associated with worsening mental health symptoms among youths. A research study undertaken by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that 40% of adolescents who came in with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts had unhealthy social media habits. This sort of behavior, which is characterized by feelings of discontentment when off social media, is in line with addictive behavior—such as cravings and intrusion into daily functioning. They also had increased screen use and poorer overall well-being.
Author, explains, The characteristics of problematic use mirror those of addiction, with continued use even when wanting to stop, cravings, interference with daily tasks and activities, deceptive use, interpersonal disruptions, and more. That which her team of researchers has determined shines a light into where social media addiction intersects with clinical mental health disorders to bring about an interesting perspective based on what has been studied about populations as a whole.
The problem isn’t necessarily the amount of time spent online it’s what is being done online. Passive activity, like scrolling mindlessly through highly curated feeds, can perpetuate the sense of loneliness and inadequacy. For adolescent girls specifically, platforms like Instagram have been associated with body image concerns and eating disorders. According to one survey, 46% of teens report feeling worse about their bodies after viewing social media. Constant comparison to airbrushed pictures and seemingly flawless lives can lead to erosion of self-esteem, and ultimately depressive symptoms.
The effect doesn’t end with self-esteem, though. Social media usage has also been associated with disrupted sleep patterns, an important contributor to mental health. The study has shown that 60% of teens will grab their phones in less than an hour of going to bed, and 40% will use devices in five minutes of being in bed. Blue screen light disrupts the melatonin production, which gets harder to sleep. Insomnia, on the other hand, worsens depression and anxiety. As Dr. Jerry Bubrick, Ph.D., describes, “You have the intention to check Instagram or watch TikTok videos for 5 minutes, and the next thing you know 50 minutes are gone. You’re an hour behind in sleep, and more tired the next day. You find it harder to focus. You’re off your game, and it spirals from there.”
The influence of social media on the youth’s minds is not always harmful, though. For marginalized youth, online communities can be life-affirming support and connection. LGBTQ+ teens, for instance, often find shelter and acceptance in online communities that do not exist offline. Studies suggest that social media can facilitate identity formation and emotional support for these young people.
But the line between safe and unsafe use is thin. Problematic use of social media, as defined by withdrawal and preoccupation, is a more robust predictor of negative mental health consequences than screen time in and of itself is. In one sample of post-secondary students, higher problematic use was strongly correlated with more symptoms of depression and loneliness over time.
So what is to be done by parents and teachers? The experts recommend that a family media plan be devised to establish limits and encourage responsible use. This could include disabling notifications, marking off eating zones as phone-free, and limiting screen time prior to bedtime. Encouraging offline social life and self-esteem-building activities—like sports, the arts, or volunteering—can also counteract the harms of excessive screen time.
Dr. Kennard’s researchers are creating tools to help teenagers, including family agreements regarding limitations. She emphasizes that solutions are not one-size-fits-all. “What is fine for one individual may not be OK for someone else.” Straight, honest talk and personalized solutions work best to help teenagers manage the world of the web.
Lastly, there has to be acknowledgment of the duality of the influence of social media on mental health. It brings together and strengthens, but isolates and hurts. Through education on resilience and empathy, parents, educators, and mental health professionals can empower young people to utilize social media as a driver of growth, not suffering.
For additional information on social media’s influence on the psychological well-being of young people, learn more regarding the link between social media and depression or learn more regarding adolescent mental health systematic reviews. For learning about interventions, learn more regarding social media abuse and psychological well-being effects.
