Look around—nearly every kid and teen today has a smartphone.
Step into a restaurant, and you’re almost guaranteed to hear CoComelon blaring from a nearby table while a wide-eyed toddler mindlessly eats whatever’s in front of them, glued to the screen. And if there are teens around, don’t expect much eye contact—they’re likely too engrossed in doom-scrolling and nonstop chatting to look up.
In this article, we’ll dive into what various studies reveal about screen time in general, and social media in particular, and its impact on kids’ and teens’ mental health.
Table of Contents
Is Social Media All That Bad?
In a word: No.
Being on social media has its benefits. It keeps you updated on global events—something even newspapers can’t fully achieve, as they typically dedicate just a single page to world news (often in the most unexciting way possible). Social media also helps you connect with friends and family, no matter where they are—even across continents. And beyond just staying in touch, it can strengthen your social support network, which, in turn, can help your kids feel more fulfilled and supported in their lives.
Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: What research says
A study examined the social media habits of 6,595 U.S. teenagers who were between 12 and 15 years old in 2013 and 2014.
It looked at the hours of usage of social media, and the impact it has on:
- Internalizing Problems: These refer to inwardly directed emotional issues, such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
- Externalizing Problems: These involve outwardly directed behaviors, including hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, and rule-breaking actions.
- Comorbid Internalizing and Externalizing Problems: This category includes individuals who exhibit both internalizing and externalizing symptoms simultaneously.
Here’s what the study concluded:
Even after accounting for things like age and background, the real risk of internalized mental health struggles only became clear for teens spending more than 3 hours a day on social media. For those using it 30 minutes to 3 hours a day, there might be some impact, but it wasn’t strong enough to say social media was the main culprit.
On the other hand, social media didn’t seem to have a clear connection to externalizing problems—any link there disappeared once other factors were considered.
However, when it came to teens dealing with both anxiety/depression and behavioral issues (comorbid problems), even more than 30 minutes a day was linked to a higher risk.
So, while spending hours scrolling definitely increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and broader mental health struggles, more moderate use might not be as big of a concern.
The Role of Social Comparison
A substantial body of research has pointed to social media as a major contributor to the increase in mental health issues. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat often promote unrealistic portrayals of people’s lives.
A 2019 study published in JAMA Psychiatry showed that adolescents who spent more than three hours a day on social media were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Social comparison — where teens compare their own lives to the curated, often idealized versions they see online — fuels feelings of inadequacy and loneliness.
The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
FOMO is another social media-driven phenomenon. Seeing peers post about events or activities they weren’t invited to can trigger feelings of exclusion, even if those moments are insignificant. A study by Przybylski et al. (2013) published in Computers in Human Behavior found that frequent social media users experience higher levels of anxiety related to missing out on experiences others are having, further driving emotional distress.
Decline in Face-to-Face Interaction
Reduced In-Person Socialization
With the rise of technology, in-person interaction has decreased dramatically. Research shows that strong social connections are critical to emotional well-being, but today’s children and teens spend less time hanging out in person than previous generations. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author of iGen, notes that post-millennials are markedly less likely to leave the house without their parents, attend parties, or interact face-to-face with friends than teens in the 1980s and 1990s .
Consequences of Digital Interaction
While online communication has its benefits, it doesn’t offer the same emotional support as face-to-face interactions. Studies, including one published in 2023, found that frequent online interaction can actually exacerbate feelings of loneliness and anxiety, as digital conversations lack the emotional nuance and immediate connection of in-person exchanges.
Academic Pressure and Expectations
Increased Academic Demands
Over the past few decades, academic pressure on students has intensified. Many children and teens are faced with the constant demand to excel academically, which is driven by competitive college admissions processes and societal expectations. A study from the American Psychological Association revealed that teens report similar levels of stress as adults, with academic pressure being one of the most significant contributors.
Sleep Deprivation: A Silent Epidemic
How Technology Disrupts Sleep Patterns
The overuse of smartphones and tablets, especially at night, has had a profound impact on youth sleep patterns. Blue light emitted from screens can interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle. According to a 2017 study published in Pediatrics, more than 70% of teens report using their phones late at night, often resulting in chronic sleep deprivation.
Sleep and Mental Health
The link between sleep and mental health is well-documented. Research from the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that adolescents who get less than eight hours of sleep per night are more prone to developing anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Consistently disrupted sleep leads to poor emotional regulation, making young people more vulnerable to feelings of loneliness and emotional distress.
Economic and Global Uncertainty
The Stress of a Changing World
Increased awareness of global issues — from climate change to economic instability — has contributed to a sense of uncertainty among today’s youth. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2020 revealed that 83% of Gen Z teens reported that global issues such as climate change were a significant source of stress. Unlike previous generations, today’s youth are inundated with constant news and social media updates that can heighten feelings of helplessness and anxiety.
Financial Insecurity
With increasing concerns about student loan debt and the rising cost of living, teens are more worried about their financial futures than ever before. This financial stress, paired with uncertainty about career prospects, exacerbates feelings of depression, especially as teens transition into adulthood.
Parenting Styles and Overprotection
Helicopter Parenting and Its Effects
Modern parenting styles have also been implicated in the rise of anxiety among teens. Helicopter parenting, where parents closely monitor and manage their children’s lives, may prevent children from developing essential coping mechanisms. A study published in the Journal of Adolescence found that teens with overprotective parents were more likely to experience anxiety because they had fewer opportunities to manage stress independently.
Lack of Resilience-Building Experiences
Overprotective environments often mean fewer opportunities for children to face challenges and build resilience. This can leave them feeling unequipped to deal with the pressures of adolescence. As a result, they may struggle more with anxiety and depression when faced with normal teenage challenges like academic stress, peer relationships, and identity formation.
Cultural Shifts and Individualism
The Move Towards Individualism
Cultural shifts towards individualism in many Western societies have changed the social fabric that once provided a sense of community. Research by Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, argues that social disengagement has increased over the past few decades, with fewer people participating in community organizations or activities. This sense of isolation from broader societal structures has affected teens in particular, as they grow up in an increasingly individualistic world where personal success is often valued over collective well-being.
Impact on Support Networks
Without a strong community support system, children and teens often feel more isolated. Loneliness has been shown to be a significant predictor of depression, and with weaker ties to their communities, many teens lack the sense of belonging that fosters emotional resilience.
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Traditional Bullying in Decline, but Cyberbullying on the Rise
While traditional, in-person bullying may have declined slightly, cyberbullying has emerged as a serious concern. A 2021 report by the Cyberbullying Research Center showed that 36.5% of teens reported being cyberbullied at some point in their lives, a number that has steadily increased with the rise of social media. Cyberbullying can be more pervasive and harder to escape than traditional bullying, as it follows victims into their homes through their digital devices.
Emotional Impact of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation in teens. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that victims of cyberbullying are more likely to report feeling lonely and socially isolated, which exacerbates mental health problems.
Gender Differences in Mental Health Trends
The Disproportionate Impact on Girls
Mental health trends differ significantly between boys and girls, with studies consistently showing that girls report higher levels of anxiety and depression. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that depression rates among adolescent girls are nearly three times higher than those among boys. Social media pressures, body image issues, and cultural expectations of appearance may play a larger role in the mental health struggles of girls.
Boys and Underreported Depression
While boys may report lower levels of depression, this does not necessarily mean they are immune. Research suggests that boys are less likely to seek help for mental health issues, which can result in underreported cases. Instead of expressing sadness or anxiety, boys are more likely to display anger or irritability, which can mask underlying depression.
Conclusion: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis
The rising rates of loneliness, anxiety, and depression among children and teens can be attributed to a complex array of factors, including social media, academic pressure, lack of sleep, and economic uncertainty. To address this crisis, parents, educators, and policymakers need to prioritize mental health education, promote healthy sleep habits, encourage face-to-face interactions, and provide accessible mental health services. The future well-being of the next generation depends on recognizing these challenges and taking proactive steps to support emotional resilience in youth.
