Social Media Impacts on Youth Mental Health
Social media use by young people is nearly universal. There are many positive benefits like chatting with friends, sharing fun moments, and staying connected. However, social media also presents a meaningful risk of harm to young people.
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Social Media and Depression
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, has shared warnings about how social media might be linked to depression. When young people spend too much time online, they might see things that make them feel like they’re not good enough or that they’re missing out. This can lead to feelings of sadness or depression.
Seeing pictures of friends having fun or people showing off their achievements can make youth feel left out. They might compare their own lives to the perfect images they see online and feel like they’re not measuring up. This can be hard on their self-esteem, body image, and mental health.
Young people that spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems. On average, teens in the U.S. currently spend about 5 hours per day on social media.
They are constantly being exposed to violence and sexual content. Young people face bullying and harassment on social media. And they often don’t know how to discern real risks.
Dr. Murthy suggests keeping children and youth off of social media platforms until their critical thinking skills have had more time to grow and strengthen. Ideally, that’s sometime after middle school.
Well-being depends on real-life interactions
Another problem with social media is that it can make young people feel isolated, even though they’re online. When young people spend too much time on their phones or computers, they might not spend enough time with real friends and family in person. This can lead to feelings of loneliness.
Dr. Murthy points out that real-life interactions are necessary for youth well-being. Talking face-to-face with friends, playing together, or simply spending time with family can help young people feel connected and happy. When social media takes up too much time, it can replace these important real-life connections and make young people feel alone.
Finding a Balance
So much is at risk while a young person’s brain is developing. It’s important for parents, caregivers, and youth workers to help young people to find a good balance with social media. Here are a few tips to help:
- Set Time Limits: Try to limit the amount of time spent on social media each day. This can help make sure there’s enough time for other activities and face-to-face interactions. And significantly reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
- Encourage Real-Life Activities: Make time for activities like playing outside, reading, or having family dinners. These activities can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve mood. Spend time outdoors. Provide screen-free zones in school, at dinner time, in your program spaces.
- Talk About Feelings: Encourage open conversations about how social media makes young people feel. Talking about it can help them understand their emotions and find ways to deal with them. They do need guidance to gain the benefits of social media.
By paying attention to these concerns and finding a healthy balance, we can help ensure that social media remains a positive part of the lives of our young people. We can all do our part to keep them safer online. And more connected offline.
YIPA offers a helpful training called Exploring Trends in Tech Use and Internet Safety with Youth. It’s free to YIPA members. Not yet a member? Consider joining today!
About the author
Barbara Van Deinse is the operations director of the Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA), a non-profit association of youth-serving organizations. We're your source for exceptional, affordable, personal and professional online learning via The Professional Youth Worker. Join us!
To ask Barbara a question or share your feedback about this blog, email barbara@yipa.org.
