Teen mental health concerns have been on the rise for more than a decade. The United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory in the spring of 2023. He stated there is growing evidence that social media is causing harm to young people’s mental health. In addition, in May 2023, the American Psychological Association (APA) also issued its health advisory. Let’s further explore some of the positive and negative impacts of social media on teen mental health.

Dr. Murthy’s advisory was based on a review of the available evidence. It raised many concerns including the type of content teens consume or are exposed to, the amount of time adolescents spend on platforms, and the degree to which teens online interactions disrupt health activities, such as exercise and sleep. In addition, the review indicates that social media can also affect teen users in different ways, “depending on their strengths and vulnerabilities as individuals, as well as their cultural, historical, and socio-economic backgrounds.”

The report emphasizes that the brain goes through a highly sensitive period between the ages of 10 and 19 when personal identities and feelings of self-worth are forming. Frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain, potentially impacting such functions as emotional regulation, impulse control, and emotional learning and behavior.

Some research suggests that teens who are exposed to maladaptive behavior may promote similar behavior among vulnerable youth. In addition, online social reinforcement of these dysfunctional behaviors may be related to increased risk for serious psychological symptoms.

According to the research, some teenagers experience a benefit when they use social media to foster positive connections with others who share common interests or particular racial identities, which helps create a space for self-expression. Per Dr. Murthy’s report, “relationships formed in communities like these can create opportunities for positive interactions with more diverse peer groups than are available to them offline.”

In addition, data suggest that youths’ psychological development may benefit from this type of online social interaction, especially when experiencing stress, during periods of social isolation, and when seeking connection to peers with similar developmental and/or health conditions. Furthermore, social media might be psychologically beneficial for members of marginalized groups that have been disproportionately harmed in online contexts or those teens who are experiencing mental health struggles.

How social media can be helpful for teens:

1. Social media lets teens create online identities to chat with others and build social networks. These networks can provide teens with support from other people who have similar experiences. This type of support may help teens who:

• Lack social support offline or are lonely.

• Have long-term medical conditions.

• Are going through a stressful time.

• Belonging to groups that often get marginalized, such as the LGBTQ community or other racial minorities.

  2. How social media platforms might help teens:

• Connect with other teens locally and across long distances.

• Express themselves.

• Ask for help or seek support for mental health symptoms.

• Learn how other teens cope with mental health conditions and with challenging life situations.

• View or take part in moderated chat forums that encourage talking openly about topics such as mental health.

How social media can be unhealthy for teens.

1. Social media use may have negative effects on some teens.

• Disrupts sleep.

• Distract from homework, exercise, and family activities.

• Can lead to information that is biased or incorrect.

• Cause some teens to form views about other people's lives or bodies that aren't realistic.

• Expose some teens to online predators, who might try to exploit or extort them.

• Become a means to spread rumors or share too much personal information.

• Expose some teens to cyberbullying, which can raise the risk of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

• The excessive use of social media can harm teens by disrupting important healthy behaviors. Some researchers think that exposure to social media can overstimulate the brain's reward center. When the stimulation becomes excessive it can trigger pathways comparable to addiction.

  How parents can help their children limit some of the negative effects of social media.

  1. Set rules and limits as needed.

  This helps prevent social media from getting in the way of activities like eating, sleep, or homework. For example, set a daily time limit for when your teen can use social media. As a parent, limit the amount of time you spend on social media. Clarify when no one can access social media like during family meals and an hour before bed. Keep all devices out of the bedrooms when sleeping. Let your teen know the consequences if your rules aren’t followed.

  2. Manage any challenging behaviors.

  If your teen's social media use challenges your rules, talk with your teen about it. Have ongoing conversations about why it’s important to limit our time on social media.

  3. Turn on privacy settings.

  This can help keep your teen from sharing personal information or data that your teen didn't mean to share. Each of your teen's social media accounts likely has privacy settings that can be changed.

  4. Have regular talks with your teen about social media.

  These talks give you chances to ask how social media has been making your teen feel. Encourage your teen to let you know if something online worries or bothers your teen. Help your teen learn how to question whether the content is accurate or inaccurate.

  5. Explain what's not okay.

  Remind your teen that it's hurtful to spread rumors, gossip, bully, or harm someone's reputation, online or otherwise. Also, remind your teen not to share personal information with strangers online. This includes people's addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, and bank or credit card numbers.

  6. Encourage face-to-face contact with friends.

  Remind your teen of the importance of spending time with their friends rather than being online. This is important for teens prone to social anxiety.

  7. Be a role model for your teen.

  Share your healthy and unhealthy social media habits with your teen. Let your teen know that we all need to be mindful of how we use social media and how much time we spend on social media.

  Social media impacts everyone daily. I hope you make it a priority to be mindful of your social media usage. Set limits for yourself and make time to connect with friends in person. Parents, I encourage you to have ongoing conversations with your teen about social media.

  If you’re looking for mental health support, please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.