Can Social Media Use Impact Teen Mental Health?

A Pew Research Center study reported in April that 92% of teenagers go online daily, with 71% using more than one social media site. Twenty-four percent of the teens surveyed said they went online “almost constantly.”

Though no cause-and-effect link has been proven, new research shows that teens who spend a significant amount of time using social media are more likely to report unaddressed mental health concerns.

Does Social Media Harm Mental Health?

To explore the effects that social media use might have on mental health, Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga and Rosamund Lewis analyzed the responses to a health survey taken by 750 Ottawa teens in grades 7 through 12. Almost two thirds of respondents reported “very good” or “excellent” mental health. A fifth reported “good” mental health, while 17% characterized their mental health as “poor.” About a quarter of respondents said they had unmet mental health needs, and the rest said they were getting adequate help. Thirteen percent of participants said they had considered suicide.

Researchers explored the teens’ use of social media sites and found a correlation between frequent use of social media and a greater risk for mental health problems. Heavy users of social media were also more likely to report thoughts of suicide. Overall, teens who reported using social media for more than two hours a day were more likely to report having “poor” mental health. They were also more likely to say their mental health needs were not being adequately addressed.

Though the researchers did not directly explore the reasons why social media may have a negative impact on mental health, the study, published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, suggests that social media anonymity can increase exposure to cyberbullying. Social media sites might also encourage teens to compare themselves to others. One recent study found that women who use Facebook to compare themselves to other women are more likely to experience issues with body image.

However, some teens who are experiencing mental health issues may use social media to connect with other individuals, thus combating isolation and loneliness. Spending time online may increase the risk of cyberbullying or make it easy for young people to compare themselves to others, but many teens are able to build strong friendships and become part of online communities through social media and other Internet use. Therefore, it is possible that some teens reporting untreated mental health issues obtain some benefit from their use of social media.

Because the study uncovered a correlation, not a cause, the research team cautions against drawing conclusions about the negative effects of social media use. Instead, they advise limiting social media use to two hours a day and encourage parents and guardians to monitor children for changes in mental health.

References:

1. Lenhart, A. (2015, April 08). Teens, social media & technology overview 2015. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015
2. Mozes, A. (2015, July 31). Too much Facebook, Twitter, tied to poor mental health in teens. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_153889.html

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