The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health
of Youth
This report examines the impact of social media on the mental
health of youth, aged 13-24. A comprehensive review of existing literature
reveals a significant correlation between social media use and increased
symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among youth. The report
highlights the need for responsible social media use, media literacy
education, and increased support for youth mental health.
Social media is now a fundamental part of childhood. According to
Ofcom’s 2021 report, 95% of children are using some form of social media
by age 15. Although great for socialising and creative expression, how do
platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube impact
mental health?
Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with
billions of people around the world using platforms like Instagram,
Facebook, and Twitter. Youth, in particular, are avid users of social media,
with many spending several hours a day online. While social media offers
many benefits, including connectivity and access to information, there is
growing concern about its impact on mental health.
Numerous studies have examined the impact of social media on
youth mental health. A systematic review of 36 studies found that social
media use was associated with increased symptoms of depression,
anxiety, and loneliness among youth (Király et al., 2019). Another study
found that adolescents who spent more time on social media were more
likely to experience sleep disturbances, which can exacerbate mental
health problems (Cain & Gradisar, 2010).
Positive Effects of Social Media
o Social media platforms provide opportunities to socialize, play, and
learn, and can positively impact mental health by helping young
people:
o Maintain social bonds and stay up to date with family and friends
across the globe
o Connect with new friends and groups of people who share similar
interests or experiences
o Access constant support and advice anonymously, providing a
lifeline to young people who may struggle in silence
o Develop communication skills while encouraging more open and
honest discussion of thoughts and feelings
o Express themselves and develop their personality. social bonds and
stay up to date with family and friends across the globe
o Connect with new friends and groups of people who share similar
interests or experiences
o Access constant support and advice anonymously, providing a
lifeline to young people who may struggle in silence
o Develop communication skills while encouraging more open and
honest discussion of thoughts and feelings
o Express themselves and develop their personality.
Negative Effects of Social Media
Interactive technologies are relatively new, and research into short-
and long-term consequences is limited. However, multiple studies have
linked high usage to increased risk of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and
even suicidal thoughts.
Potential risks of social media include:
Social comparison. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is not a new
term, but social media sites can exacerbate these feelings.
Virtual profiles allow people to share highlights of their lives,
setting unrealistic expectations that leave young people
feeling insecure and dissatisfied. FOMO then impacts self-
esteem, triggering anxiety and encouraging more compulsive
use of social media.
Body image. Young people may compare themselves to
celebrities, influencers, or people they admire, developing
unhealthy obsessions with appearance that can significantly
impact self-esteem.
Sleep patterns. Greater social media usage has been linked to
poorer sleep quality, which is in turn linked to low self-esteem,
anxiety, and depression.
Self-harm and suicidal ideation. Although social media can be
great for support-seeking, certain content can have a negative
influence, normalizing self-harm and exposing young people to
explicit images/videos. With access to online forums
discussing self-harm and suicide, young people may be
encouraged to engage in such behaviors’ with devastating
consequences.
Cyberbullying. Young people may enact or fall victim to
bullying behavior online. The Office for National Statistics
recently highlighted how 1 in 5 children in the UK experience
some form of cyberbullying. Whether through “trolling”,
exclusion, or sharing embarrassing images/videos, bullying
significantly increases a young person’s risk of developing
depression and low self-esteem, making them twice as likely
to self-harm.
The findings of this report suggest that social media has a
significant impact on the mental health of youth. While social media offers
many benefits, excessive use can lead to increased symptoms of
depression and anxiety, social comparison, and decreased self-esteem.
Cyberbullying and online harassment can also have serious consequences
for youth mental health.
While social media may be exacerbating existing mental health
problems rather than causing them, it is clear that tighter regulations, and
education on how to use it safely is needed. If we can create a safe online
environment, social media has the potential to be an effective tool for
mental health communication. But who’s responsibility is it to regulate
young people’s activity?
This report highlights the need for responsible social media use,
media literacy education, and increased support for youth mental health.
Parents, educators, and mental health professionals must work together to
educate youth about the potential risks and benefits of social media and
provide them with the skills and resources they need to maintain good
mental health.
Passed by:
Jelina Mae Gabatan, Lindy Joy Agocoy, Alea Shayne Libradilla, Trixie
Podador, Princes May Nainggi, Andrie Nainggue, Gad James Urbiztondo,
Justin Kyle Cañonez, Ronel Abrio
