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“Nearly all teens, or 95% of them, have access to smartphones” (Camille).

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Always Online: Weighing the Effects of Social Media on Teens' Mental Health

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“Almost half of teens (45%) report being connected through technology almost constantly” (Camille).

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“Another 44% of teens are online several times a day” (Camille).

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“Less than one quarter (24%) of teens believe that social media is negative” (Camille).

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“Less than one quarter (24%) of teens believe that social media is negative” (Camille).

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1. “With teen media consumption on the rise, companies are more frequently cashing in on the media influence on teens. With industry reports deeming teens the most valuable customers, targeted marketing to teens is unlikely to go away. Today’s teens, known as Generation Z, are, as a group, overwhelmingly more connected through technology than generations past” (Camille).

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1. “Less than one quarter (24%) of teens believe that social media is negative” (MGBM).

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1. “Multiple studies show that social media lead to disrupted sleep, increased feelings of anxiety, and depression” (Kitan)

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1. “When teens aren’t on social media, their body craves high amounts of dopamine. This is why social media is so hard to give up. It’s comparable to a drug. Social media companies want users to spend lots of time and energy on their apps because they know you will get hooked” (MGBM).

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1. “‘I think we need to take a step back and look at the role technology is playing in our society as a whole, in terms of people needing instant gratification, staying home and not interacting in the community by going to local stores or to the movie theater,’ she says” (MGBM).

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How does social media impact kids' body image?

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“However, findings also suggest that the quality rather than the quantity of social media use can determine whether the experience will enhance or deteriorate the user’s mental health”  (Zsila).

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“In addition to limiting likes, as Instagram has done, Sperling suggests social platforms consider decreasing mass sharing altogether. They might function more as messaging services by highlighting one-on-one communications”  (MGBM).

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1. “Social media heavily focuses on physical appearance. Many social media platforms – such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok – provide users with the option to use filters on an image. Filters can be great for a laugh, but the ability to easily alter physical appearance and hide imperfections can create false illusions. Constant exposure to altered images can also lead you to feel self-conscious and dislike the way you look.” (UC Davis).

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“The issue is complicated, however. While there are indicators that it can have a profound risk of harm to teens (more on that below), social media use aimed at making healthy connections with others may actually be beneficial to some people. Dr. Murthy’s report indicates that more research is needed to fully understand the impact of social media. For parents, this means there are no easy answers” (Katella).

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“The report stresses that the brain is going through a highly sensitive period between the ages of 10 and 19, when identities and feelings of self-worth are forming. Frequent social media use may be associated with distinct changes in the developing brain, potentially affecting such functions as emotional learning and behavior, impulse control, and emotional regulation” (Katella).

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“Over the last decade, increasing evidence has identified the potential negative impact of social media on adolescents. According to a research study of American teens ages 12-15, those who used social media over three hours each day faced twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms” (Katella).

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“In addition, people who target adolescents—for instance, adults seeking to sexually exploit teens or financially extort them through the threat or actual distribution of intimate images—may use social media platforms for these types of predatory behaviors, according to the Surgeon General's advisory” (UC Davis).

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“The influence of social media on youth mental health is shaped by many complex factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of time children and adolescents spend on platforms, the type of content they consume or are otherwise exposed to, the activities and interactions social media affords, and the degree to which it disrupts activities that are essential for health like sleep and physical activity” (U.S. Surgeon General).

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“Inadequacy about your life or appearance. Even if you know that images you’re viewing on social media are manipulated, they can still make you feel insecure about how you look or what’s going on in your own life. Similarly, we’re all aware that other people tend to share just the highlights of their lives, rarely the low points that everyone experiences. But that doesn’t lessen those feelings of envy and dissatisfaction when you’re scrolling through a friend’s airbrushed photos of their tropical beach holiday or reading about their exciting new promotion at work” (Robinson).

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“Human beings need face-to-face contact to be mentally healthy. Nothing reduces stress and boosts your mood faster or more effectively than eye-to-eye contact with someone who cares about you” (Robinson).

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“According to a research study of American teens ages 12-15, those who used social media over three hours each day faced twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms” (Katella).

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Is social media harming kids? New study offers guidance to parents

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Top social networks for kids

Social media has continued to grow in popularity with both teens and tweens. According a BBC survey more than three quarters of younger children between 10 and 12 years old are using at least one social media network.

If your child is eager to start tweeting, posting or sharing but you feel they're not ready to use the likes of Facebook or Instagram, then there are a number of alternative social networks made for children that you can point them to.

These offer child-friendly features like games and contests but also give you a chance to use them as teaching tool to get them sharing safely.

Ultimately, these social networks give children a safer environment where they can share their experiences and engage with friends they know.

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Social media networks made for children | Internet Matters

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See our list of child-friendly social media apps designed to help children learn how to interact with each other and share safely online.

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Social media isn't simply a way of life for kids -- it's life itself. Believe it or not, Facebook and Twitter aren't the only cool social-networking sites out there. If you have younger kids who are eager to get in on the messaging app craze, some excellent programs are designed for users under 13. But before your kids register for any of them, be sure to refer to our social media hub to get answers and recommendations for all your chatting concerns.

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Safer Social Media and Messaging Apps for Kids

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Common Sense Media editors help you choose Safer Social Media and Messaging Apps for Kids. See what's out there besides Facebook and Twitter.

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The Social Media Drug: Is it Ruining Our Kid's Childhoods?

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Kids, social media and privacy: What to know before you post : Life Kit

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Many parents share photos and videos of their babies and children on social media. But there are potential dangers to constantly posting about your kid online, says Leah Plunkett, a faculty member of Harvard Law School who specializes in children, family law and technology. This episode, Plunkett explains what adults should consider about a kid’s privacy and personal data before hitting the upload button.

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Matthew McConaughey On How Dangerous Social Media Is For Kids

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Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU

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How social media affects a child's body image