Teens Say Social Media Takes a Toll on Mental Health
Teenagers seem to agree with their parents about one thing: too much social media scrolling isn’t good for their mental health. In a recent survey, nearly half of teens ages 13–17 said social media has a “mostly negative” effect on people their age, though fewer feel like it affects them personally. Girls, however, are more likely than boys to say that social media harms their mental health (25% vs. 14%) and confidence (20% vs. 10%).1
Research conducted over the last decade supports a link between excessive social media use by teens and a rise in reported mental health diagnoses. One U.S. study found that teens who spent more than three hours per day on social media were twice as likely to report negative mental health outcomes, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. When teens constantly compare themselves to others via social posts, it can stir feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Poor sleep quality, distress from cyberbullying, unhealthy body image, and eating disorders may also result from or be worsened by social media use.2
What can parents do?
As a parent, you might be concerned about the well-being of your children as they navigate the digital landscape. The American Psychological Association (APA) has published a report that discusses recent research and includes some helpful recommendations. (The Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence is available at www.apa.org.)
The APA points out that social media is not inherently detrimental to teen mental health. The impact depends on the content that teens are exposed to and their individual tendencies. When used safely and in moderation, social media offers opportunities for human connection and creative expression that can be beneficial.
The advisory generally recommends that parents take a proactive approach. “In early adolescence (i.e., typically 10–14 years), adult monitoring (i.e., ongoing review, discussion, and coaching around social media content) is advised for most youths’ social media use; autonomy may increase gradually as kids age and if they gain digital literacy skills. However, monitoring should be balanced with youths’ appropriate needs for privacy.”
Tough Times
Many parents and teens said they are at least somewhat concerned about youth mental health these days (89% and 77%, respectively).
Percentage of parents and teens who think one of the
following factors is the biggest threat to teens’ mental health
| Parents | Teens | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 44% | Social media | 22% | Social media |
| 14% | Technology generally, other | 17% | Bullying |
| 9% | Bullying | 16% | Pressures and expectations |
| 8% | Pressures and expectations | 8% | Technology generally, other |
| 5% | The state of society | 5% | School |
Source: Pew Research Center, 2025
Monitoring a child’s social media use might involve setting appropriate limits and boundaries based on maturity, keeping smartphones out of the bedroom to promote healthy sleep, utilizing parental controls in apps and devices, and teaching children how to manage their own privacy settings.
Make sure to have ongoing family discussions about online safety, privacy, and responsible behavior. Encourage open communication and establish rules together but allow for a level of independence that increases with age. It might also help to facilitate participation in healthy activities (such as sports and clubs) that provide opportunities to socialize in real life.
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