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1. How often do you feel stressed or overwhelmed due to social media interactions or online friendships?

2. Do you ever find it challenging to focus on schoolwork because of stress at home?

3. How often do conflicts or disagreements within your family affect your mood or well-being?

4. Are you comfortable talking to your parents or guardians about your feelings and concerns?

5. Do you have friends or trusted adults you feel comfortable discussing your problems with?

6. What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain your mental well-being?

7. What kind of support do you wish was more available for teenagers dealing with stress or family issues?

8. Have you ever felt judged or discriminated against because of your mental health or family situation?

9. How do you think schools and communities could better support teenagers facing mental health challenges?

10. Overall, how satisfied are you with the support available for teenagers dealing with stress or family problems?

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RED - Main ideas

BLUE - Survey questions

GREEN - READINGS, VIDEOS

Link to survey:

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Link to Presentation slide:

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1. Have you ever encountered instances of bullying or friendship issues on social media that left you feeling sad or upset?

2. How frequently do you come across situations on social media that negatively impact your mood, such as engaging in arguments with friends or receiving hurtful messages?

3. Are you comfortable seeking help or support when dealing with bullying or friendship problems on social media?

4. Have you observed any changes in your mood or behavior following negative interactions on social media, such as heightened anxiety or withdrawal?

5. What strategies do you employ to manage bullying or friendship issues on social media and maintain a positive outlook?

6. Have you experienced bullying or friendship problems in real life that have affected your emotional well-being

7. How do you perceive the differences between facing bullying or friendship issues in real life versus encountering them on social media?

8. In your opinion, do you find it easier or more challenging to handle bullying or friendship problems on social media compared to real-life situations?

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1. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much do you agree with the statement: "I use social media platforms to express myself and share my thoughts and feelings with others."

(1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree)

2. How often do you connect with other people locally or across long distances through social media platforms?

(Rarely, Occasionally, Frequently, Almost Daily)

3. Have you ever learned from other teens on social media platforms about how they cope with challenging life situations or mental health conditions?

(Yes, No, Not Sure)

4. On a scale of 1 to 5, how often does social media distract you from completing homework, exercising, or spending time with family?

(1 = Never, 5 = Always)

5. How frequently does social media disrupt your sleep patterns?

(Rarely, Occasionally, Frequently, Almost Daily)

6. Have you ever encountered biased or incorrect information on social media platforms?

(Yes, No, Sometimes, Not Sure)

7. Have you experienced cyberbullying on social media, leading to feelings of anxiety or depression?

(Yes, No, I Prefer Not to Say)

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The effects of social media addiction include anxiety or depression, increased isolation, decreased physical activity, low self-esteem, and poor work or school performance.

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Social media addiction is an addiction in which a person engages in the compulsive and excessive use of social media. Problematic social media use interferes with other aspects of one's life and can affect a person in several harmful ways.

The symptoms of social media addiction include restlessness if unable to check social media, increased reliance on social media as a coping mechanism, and negative impacts on one's personal life.

The causes of social media addiction include addictiveness, stress and self-esteem, and social anxiety. These factors drive a person to continue with the excessive use of social media to clear out unpleasant feelings.

The effects of social media addiction include anxiety or depression, increased isolation, decreased physical activity, low self-esteem, and poor work or school performance.

Social media addiction refers to uncontrollable and excessive engagement in social media networking sites and platforms. An individual suffering from social media addiction devotes a significant amount of time and energy to check on social networking sites and engaging with other users on the platforms, as explained by psychologists Daria J. Kuss and Mark D. Griffiths of the Nottingham Trent University in their 2017 paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Problematic social media use is characterized by the inability to minimize or stop excessive social media consumption despite its adverse outcomes and serious consequences.

The most common signs and symptoms of social media addiction are listed below.

The most common causes of social media addiction are listed below.

Addictiveness: The addictive potential of social media can be largely attributed to the novelty that different social media sites offer. Social networking sites and platforms introduce regular updates to engage users to return to the platforms frequently. This makes individuals more vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption of online media. In a 2017 paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, psychologists Daria J. Kuss and Mark D. Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University highlighted that the addictive aspect of social media, particularly in the form of positive comments, is what interests an individual and ultimately develops a strong desire to follow the current trends and updates online constantly.

Stress and self-esteem: Social media allows users to selectively showcase life by only selecting the finest moments. It can give a false impression that people must keep up and try harder to live a more desirable life. This can cause stress and lower self-esteem to an individual by putting unnecessary pressure on oneself to do better in life. Additionally, according to the same paper by psychologists Daria J. Kuss and Mark D. Griffiths, individuals with low self-presentation skills use social media platforms in preference over personal interactions. Social media interactions offer a variety of rewards in the form of assurance and satisfaction that may lead to compulsive use to achieve constant gratification online.

Social anxiety: An inability to establish and maintain real-life relationships can make a person turn to social media, where connections are made more accessible. An individual suffering from social anxiety may prefer to spend time in the virtual world as engaging does not require real-life interactions, as discussed by researchers Alfonso Pellegrino of Chulalongkorn University and Alessandro Stasi and Veera Bhatiasev of Mahidol University in Thailand in a 2022 review article published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

The effects of social media addiction and its negative repercussions are listed below.

Social media is addictive because it activates the reward centers in the brain, a mechanism also seen in substance use disorders.

This process creates pleasurable feelings that can boost a person's mood when checking social media. For instance, a person with an Instagram addiction can get feelings of pleasure in the form of likes or comments when sharing a piece of content.

This reward circuitry puts individuals at risk of compulsive behaviors around social media use. When a person reencounters a trigger associated with the pleasurable feeling, that person is more likely to engage once more in the addictive behavior, unable to resist the thought of missing something important online.

Social media affects the brain by activating its reward circuitry and releasing dopamine in the process. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that creates a feeling of pleasure.

Excitatory synapses in specific brain regions are activated when a social media user receives positive feedback online. This process activates dopamine receptors in the brain's reward pathways creating pleasurable feelings and rewarding the body. Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatry professor, and Chief of the Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University, further explains that repeated exposure and short-term dopamine-feedback mechanisms stimulate a person to use social media more frequently to achieve the same effects. This leads to dependence and, eventually, addiction.

What are the types of social media addiction?

The five types of social media addiction are listed below.

The downsides of social media addiction are listed below.

You can suspect having social media addiction if you spend significant time and energy on social media. Another primary indicator of problematic social media use is its negative impact on your life and personal relationships.

When social media use becomes a priority for a person, responsibilities are neglected and real-life relationships are ignored in favor of social media platforms. This interference in daily functioning ultimately leads to a poorer quality of life.

The ways to decrease social media use are listed below.

Move apps away from the home screen and into one folder: Keeping social media apps away from the home screen helps tame the temptation to open apps first thing when using the phone.

Track online time: Implementing time limits on social media use can help one gain awareness of online media's impacts on a person's life. Knowing where a large chunk of a person's time helps manage social media consumption and improve mindfulness. One effective method is using the screen time feature of smartphone devices that allows users to track and limit the amount of time spent on different social media platforms and applications by restricting access when that limit is reached.

Turn off notifications for social media accounts: Turning off notifications for specific apps helps reduce distractions and prevents a person from checking social media alerts and notifications. This also allows a person to become more present and mindful.

Put the phone down before bedtime: Nighttime use of digital devices can interrupt sleep because of the blue light emitted from electronics. Blue light stimulates the brain, which keeps one awake and disrupts sleep patterns.

Rediscover offline life: Prioritize real-life connections by finding new things to do with family or friends. Doing something that will give a much-needed break from the screen can help one rediscover the benefits of offline life. Distraction is also a practical means to overcome addiction, including social media addiction. According to a 2023 paper by Xiangyu Wu published in SHS Web of Conferences, people can divert their attention from social media by engaging in meaningful activities such as yoga, meditation, hiking, cooking, sketching, reading, writing, exercising, and other healthy activities, and spending time with family and friends.

Do a digital detox: Practicing digital detox for a few days until a noticeable decrease in social media addiction symptoms may also be an option to overcome this addiction. An individual may safely engage in a digital detox from social media platforms with proactive actions and help from a professional.

Social media can affect mental health by causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Researchers Alfonso Pellegrino of Chulalongkorn University and Alessandro Stasi and Veera Bhatiasev of Mahidol University in Thailand emphasized in their 2022 review article published in Frontiers in Psychiatry the connection between social media addiction and its effects on the psychological and mental health condition. Compulsive and excessive social media use can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, social isolation, poor sleep quality, and body image dissatisfaction.

Problematic social media use can increase a user's risk of being bullied online or becoming a cyberbully. People can spread malicious rumors and offensive remarks through different platforms, which can be emotionally scarring and traumatizing. Often, cyberbullies can cause emotional damage while remaining anonymous.

The positive aspects of social media include staying connected with family and friends worldwide, connecting with like-minded people, and raising awareness about important causes.

The pros of social media are often centered on its ability to connect people and build relationships. Despite its downsides, mindful use of social media can benefit many and help people avoid the various effects of social media addiction.

Building a healthy relationship with social media can allow individuals to use the platform to educate, inspire, foster empathy, and deepen relationships.

The negative aspects of social media include the risk of addiction, depression, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy about a person's life or appearance, sleep disturbances, and fear of missing out (FOMO).

The highlights of someone's life posted on social media cause unrealistic expectations of life, leading a person to feel inadequate. The facade seen online creates an anxious feeling that one is missing out on something exciting or interesting that may already be happening to someone else.

Overusing social media also impacts sleep quality, resulting in decreased productivity and poor concentration.

The treatments for social media addiction are listed below.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a problem-solving approach to social media addiction that aims to teach people methods of managing addictive behaviors that lead to compulsive social media use. In a 2022 article published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Qutaiba Agbaria, an academic researcher from Al-Qasemi College in Israel, reports that CBT is considered the most effective approach to reducing excessive internet use, which may also be a similarly beneficial approach for social media addiction.

Behavioral activation: particularly effective if another mental health condition occurs alongside social media addiction. Behavioral activation encourages individuals to create a sense of meaning, increase pleasurable feelings, and replace unhelpful behaviors.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): another approach to treating social media addiction that focuses on changing a person's behavior and encouraging individuals to seek supportive environments to make the journey to sobriety easier. According to a 2020 study led by Dr. Emily Pluhar published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice, DBT is a potential treatment to address problematic interactive media use, including social media use. It has shown promising outcomes in targeted self-regulation behaviors and decreasing the frequency of interactive media use.

Family therapy: an ideal intervention option for individuals whose social media obsession affected the rest of the family. Family therapy can help other family members empathize with what the addict is going through.

The treatment options for social media addiction are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and family therapy.

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Social media addiction symptoms, causes, and effects - The Diamond Rehab Thailand

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Find out how social media can be addictive. Learn the signs, effects, types, and ways to control this behavior. A social media addict will...

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1. Academic Stress (Not doing well due to stress at home - Causes tension between Child & Parents) ❌

2. Social Media (Bullying - Friendship Problems causing mood swings) ❌

3. Family problems (Fighting between Members: Family Dynamics) ❌

4. Social media addiction (usage) ✅

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America’s social-media addiction is getting worse

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America’s social-media addiction is getting worse

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Although is not teenagers, it shows that there is an overall increase in the social media usage

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America’s social-media addiction is getting worse

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Excessive use of the social platforms raises questions about mental health

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Sometimes, social media platforms help teens:

Express themselves.

Connect with other teens locally and across long distances.

Learn how other teens cope with challenging life situations and mental health conditions.

View or take part in moderated chat forums that encourage talking openly about topics such as mental health.

Ask for help or seek healthcare for symptoms of mental health conditions.

Social media use may have negative effects on some teens. It might:

Distract from homework, exercise and family activities.

Disrupt sleep.

Lead to information that is biased or not correct.

Become a means to spread rumors or share too much personal information.

Lead some teens to form views about other people's lives or bodies that aren't realistic.

Expose some teens to online predators, who might try to exploit or extort them.

Expose some teens to cyberbullying, which can raise the risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

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Teens and social media use: What's the impact?

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Find out how to help limit the negative impact of these popular apps on your teenager.

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Exposure to social media can overstimulate the brain's reward center and, when the stimulation becomes excessive, can trigger pathways comparable to addiction.

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Mental health issues among teens have been rising for more than a decade, and some experts wonder how much social media use is to blame. If you're a parent questioning if-and how-you should monitor the way your teenager uses social media, you're not alone.

In the spring of 2023, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, released an advisory called Social Media and Youth Mental Health, in which he says there is growing evidence that social media is causing harm to young people's mental health. Soon after, the American Psychological Association (APA) issued its own health advisory.

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.

"The issues we face now with social media are similar to those we faced when television came out," says Linda Mayes, MD, chair of the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC). She explains that, as with TV watching, there are pros and cons to social media for young people. "So, how do we help parents filter out the parts that may be detrimental?"

Below, Dr. Mayes and YCSC's Yann Poncin, MD, a child psychiatrist, offer advice for parents trying to help their teenagers use social media in a positive way.

But first, some background.

Social media use and teens: Background, benefits, and harms

As a parent, you might ask yourself, "What, specifically, about social media use can have a negative impact on my teen?"

Dr. Murthy's advisory was based on what it describes as a "substantial review of the available evidence." It raises a variety of concerns, including the amount of time adolescents spend on platforms, the type of content they consume (or are exposed to), and the degree to which their online interactions disrupt activities essential for health, such as sleep and exercise. It points out that social media can also affect young users in different ways, depending on their strengths and vulnerabilities as individuals, as well as their cultural, historical, and socio-economic backgrounds.

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.

What are the potential benefits of social media use by teens?

Some teenagers experience a benefit when they use social media to foster positive connections with others who share common interests or identities (if they are seeking a connection with others who are, say, members of a particular racial identity), creating a space for self-expression. Relationships formed in communities like these can create opportunities for positive interactions with more diverse peer groups than are available to them offline, according to Dr. Murthy's report.

The advisory points to a 2022 survey of American teenagers and their parents by the Pew Research Center, which showed that a majority of respondents felt that social media helps teenagers feel more accepted (58%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), that they have a place to show their creative side (71%), and that they are more connected to what's going on in their friends' lives (80%).

"Posting to let your friends know how you've been spending your time can be a positive or healthy way to connect and hear about each other's day," says Dr. Poncin. "It's no different than 30 years ago when adolescents would be on the phone for three hours connecting with their friends-only now you're online with your friends, saying, 'Meet you after school,' or 'Did you hear about this?'"

What are the potential harms of social media use by teens?

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.

The advisory states that other studies "point to a higher relative concern of harm in adolescent girls and those already experiencing poor mental health, as well as for particular health outcomes, such as cyberbullying-related depression, body image and disordered eating behaviors, and poor sleep quality linked to social media use."

"What's more, the social media algorithms are built to promote whatever you seem interested in," says Dr. Mayes. "If a teen searches for any kind of mental health condition, such as depression or suicide, it's going to feed them information about those things, so soon they may begin to think that everyone around them is depressed or thinking about suicide, which is not necessarily good for mental health."

When does the kind of content teens see become an issue?

Teens can easily access extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content. In certain cases, deaths have been linked to suicide- and self-harm-related content, such as "cutting," partial asphyxiation, and risk-taking challenges on social media platforms, according to Dr. Murthy's report. Studies also found that discussing or showing this content can normalize these behaviors.

Eating disorders are yet another concern. A review of 50 studies across 17 countries between 2016 and 2021 published in PLOS Global Public Health suggested that relentless online exposure to largely unattainable physical ideals may trigger a distorted sense of self and eating disorders. This is considered to be a particular problem among girls.

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.

Why is excessive use of social media a problem?

The excessive use of social media can harm teens by disrupting important healthy behaviors. Some researchers think that exposure to social media can overstimulate the brain's reward center and, when the stimulation becomes excessive, can trigger pathways comparable to addiction.

Excessive use has also been linked to sleep problems, attention problems, and feelings of exclusion in adolescents. And sleep is essential for the healthy development of teens, according to Dr. Murthy's advisory.

Social media use in teens: A guide for parents

After reading the background, as a parent, you might ask yourself, "Sure, but do kids really use social media that much?"

Social media use among young people is nearly universal now, based on surveys from the Pew Research Center. In 2022, up to 95% of teenagers surveyed (ages 13 to 17) reported using social media, and more than a third of them use it "almost constantly."

Pew has also tracked which social media platforms (or "apps") teenagers are using. In 2023, it found the majority of teens-9 out of 10 for those ages 13 to 17-use YouTube, followed by TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. (Their use of Facebook dropped dramatically; there was also a decrease in the use of Twitter, now called X, although that was not as steep.)

With that in mind, YCSC experts provide a guide for parents concerned about their teens' social media use.

1. Determine the age your child will have access to social media.

Experts are still exploring whether there is a "right age" for a child to access social media. The APA explains that adolescents mature at different rates, which makes establishing a universal age recommendation difficult.

Although the minimum age most commonly required by social media platforms in the U.S. is 13, nearly 40% of children ages 8-12 use social media, according to Dr. Murthy's report. That signals how difficult it can be to enforce these rules without parental supervision.

One strategy is to make a social media plan for your family long before the teenage years, Dr. Poncin says. "In my opinion, elementary school-age children should not have full-on internet access using a device with all the social media apps."

In terms of phones, they can start with a "dumbphone," a cell phone that doesn't have email, an internet browser, and other features found on smartphones, he adds.

For middle-schoolers who show maturity and responsibility-who can get themselves to sleep and do their homework, for example-additional access may be fine, notes Dr. Poncin. But he suggests delaying full access to smartphones for as long as possible, opting for a device allowing you to add more apps as your child matures.

Establishing a family social media plan might also be useful-the American Academy of Pediatrics offers a tool that can help. In addition to setting the age at which you plan to start giving your kids phones or internet access, this plan can be used to establish rules and educate children and teens about being careful about privacy settings, avoiding strangers online, not giving out personal information, and knowing how to report cyberbullying, Dr. Mayes says.

2. Keep devices out of the bedroom.

Research shows a relationship between social media use and poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, and sleep difficulties in young people, according to Dr. Murthy's advisory. For teens, poor sleep is linked to emotional health issues and a higher risk for suicide.

According to Dr. Murthy's report, on a typical weekday, nearly one-third of adolescents report using screen media until midnight or later. (While screen media use includes various digital activities, social media apps are the most commonly used applications by teens.)

"Knowing that, try to create a culture at home where all phones are turned off by a certain time, and make sure it's at least one hour before going to bed," Dr. Poncin says.

However, you may find that bedtime rules don't work as well as your kids get older. It may be necessary to ask your teen to put their phone outside the bedroom before going to bed. "But, if the response is, 'I do my homework late and have a group chat about math, so I'm going to need the phone to group chat,' and you suspect your teen isn't being honest, that will be a different conversation," Dr. Poncin says. "But having these open conversations is critical."

3. Keep the lines of communication open, and let your teen make mistakes.

It will be easier to talk to your teens about social media if you have comfortable conversations with them about other issues, the doctors say.

"I don't believe you should monitor the content of your teen's phone, because a teenager should have privacy," Dr. Poncin says. "An important part of the teenage years is figuring out who you are in the world. So, it's important for them to explore and even make mistakes without you hovering around them." The goal is to keep lines of communication open and establish some trust with your child, so they'll come to you if there are issues, he adds.

This, too, is similar to the advice given when parents were concerned about the impact of television on children, adds Dr. Mayes. "Research showed that watching TV in and of itself wasn't bad, but it began to have potentially negative effects on kids' behavior when it was used as a babysitter," she says. "The message to parents was to sit beside their kids and watch TV with them, and then talk about what they're watching."

Neither you nor your teen will be happy if you sit beside them and scroll down your social media feeds together, but you can take the time to ask how social media is working for them, Dr. Mayes suggests. "So, you're not saying, 'Oh no! You're on social media!' Rather, you're normalizing it and making it clear that you're willing to talk about what they're experiencing or learning. This sets it up for them to talk to you if they run into a problem, instead of going to their peers or looking for solutions online," she says.

4. Be mindful of your approach when talking to your teen.

Although keeping the line of communication open matters, how you have those conversations is equally important. If you are concerned about your teen's social media use and feel the need to intervene, you might say something like, "It seems like you're on the phone so much that I don't see you just doing homework like you used to do, so I'm just worried how healthy this is for you in terms of getting your stuff done. What do you think about that?" Dr. Poncin says.

You might even need to be more assertive, for instance, saying, "I've noticed that you're on your phone until 1 a.m. When I go to the bathroom, your light is on, and you're on your phone. That's not healthy. So, can we come up with a plan that you're most comfortable with?"

5. Follow the rules yourself.

As a parent, you are a role model and that means following all the same rules you are setting for your children-if you ask your teenager to limit their screen time, you should do so as well, says Dr. Mayes, noting that it's not uncommon to see parents looking at their phones when they are out with their kids.

You might have a hard time resisting your social media feeds, texts, and emails. Sometimes, it helps to admit to your teenagers that you find it difficult to put down your devices, too. "This a global issue, where parents want their kids to do things differently and better than they do," Dr. Poncin says. "So, once again, having an honest conversation is important."
Note: Cyberbullying and online abuse or exploitation can be reported to the school or the police, or on websites such as Take It Down and CyberTipline, according to the Surgeon General report.

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How Social Media Affects Your Teen's Mental Health: A Parent's Guide

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A 2023 U.S. Surgeon General advisory cited growing concerns that social media use impacts young people's mental health. Yale experts offer advice to parents.

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Social Media affecting teens mental health

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Social Media affecting teens mental health

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Social media can provide opportunities to enhance the mental health of users by facilitating social connections and peer support. Indeed, online communities can provide a space for discussions regarding health conditions, adverse life events, or everyday challenges, which may decrease the sense of stigmatization and increase belongingness and perceived emotional support. On the other hand, several studies have pointed out the potentially detrimental effects of social media use on mental health. Concerns have been raised that social media may lead to body image dissatisfaction, increase the risk of addiction and cyberbullying involvement , contribute to phubbing behaviors , and negatively affects mood

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Editorial

Open access

Published:

BMC Psychology 11, Article number: 201 (2023) Cite this article

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Abstract

The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.

Social media has become integral to our daily routines: we interact with family members and friends, accept invitations to public events, and join online communities to meet people who share similar preferences using these platforms. Social media has opened a new avenue for social experiences since the early 2000s, extending the possibilities for communication. According to recent research [ 1], people spend 2.3 h daily on social media. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have become increasingly popular among youth in 2022, and one-third think they spend too much time on these platforms [ 2]. The considerable time people spend on social media worldwide has directed researchers' attention toward the potential benefits and risks. Research shows excessive use is mainly associated with lower psychological well-being [ 3]. 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 [ 4]. In this collection, we will explore the impact of social media use on mental health by providing comprehensive research perspectives on positive and negative effects.

Social media can provide opportunities to enhance the mental health of users by facilitating social connections and peer support [ 5]. Indeed, online communities can provide a space for discussions regarding health conditions, adverse life events, or everyday challenges, which may decrease the sense of stigmatization and increase belongingness and perceived emotional support. Mutual friendships, rewarding social interactions, and humor on social media also reduced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 4].

On the other hand, several studies have pointed out the potentially detrimental effects of social media use on mental health. Concerns have been raised that social media may lead to body image dissatisfaction [ 6], increase the risk of addiction and cyberbullying involvement [ 5], contribute to phubbing behaviors [ 7], and negatively affects mood [ 8]. Excessive use has increased loneliness, fear of missing out, and decreased subjective well-being and life satisfaction [ 8]. Users at risk of social media addiction often report depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem [ 9].

Overall, findings regarding the impact of social media on mental health pointed out some essential resources for psychological well-being through rewarding online social interactions. However, there is a need to raise awareness about the possible risks associated with excessive use, which can negatively affect mental health and everyday functioning [ 9]. There is neither a negative nor positive consensus regarding the effects of social media on people. However, by teaching people social media literacy, we can maximize their chances of having balanced, safe, and meaningful experiences on these platforms [ 10].

We encourage researchers to submit their research articles and contribute to a more differentiated overview of the impact of social media on mental health. BMC Psychology welcomes submissions to its new collection, which promises to present the latest findings in the emerging field of social media research. We seek research papers using qualitative and quantitative methods, focusing on social media users' positive and negative aspects. We believe this collection will provide a more comprehensive picture of social media's positive and negative effects on users' mental health.

References

Funding

Ágnes Zsila was supported by the ÚNKP-22-4 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Institute of Psychology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary

Ágnes Zsila

2. Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

Ágnes Zsila

3. Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, 1008, Philippines

Marc Eric S. Reyes

Contributions

AZ conceived and drafted the Editorial. MESR wrote the abstract and revised the Editorial. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marc Eric S. Reyes.

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Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health - BMC Psychology

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The use of social media significantly impacts mental health. It can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging. But it can also lead to tremendous stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation. Mindful use is essential to social media consumption.

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Behaviours being affected by Social media

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Behaviours being affected by Social media

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Fourteen-year-old student Nadheeruddin Tajuddin spends about four to five hours a day on social media, sometimes until the wee hours of the morning, which leaves him waking up the next day feeling “not that great”. At times, he even finds himself getting dizzy or sick after consecutive weeks of late-night scrolling. When this happens, he usually stops using social media for a few days but eventually returns to it.

While Nadheeruddin - who uses mostly TikTok but also spends time on Instagram and Twitter - feels like social media has affected his ability to concentrate in class, he does not plan to get rid of his social media applications completely as he fears becoming “clueless”.

His mother, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lisa, told TODAY that at the peak of Josiah’s addiction, he would be on his phone at every waking moment - even during meal times, or while crossing the road.

Josiah would become angry and aggressive when Ms Lisa and her husband tried to take his devices away, she said.

Once, Josiah - who plays sports and is described by his mother as “strong” - even carried Ms Lisa out of the house by her waist, locking her out of their home after she switched off the Wi-Fi in a bid to get him to get off his digital devices.

He also began to isolate himself from his family and friends, even declining her offers to take him out for his favourite meal.

While Josiah had always enjoyed gaming from a young age, he became addicted in secondary school.

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In May, the United States' top health official issued a warning about the "profound risk of harm" that social media could have on children and adolescents' mental health and well-being

Teenagers and youths interviewed by TODAY speak of how social media addiction has negatively affected their lives and emotions, though most have not stopped using it completely

While studies have drawn correlations between excessive social media use and a negative impact on children and youths' mental health, more research is needed to conclusively establish its causal direction and full effects, say experts

They also told TODAY that social media addiction is currently not recognised as a mental health disorder, which could impede the consistency of its terminology, choice of diagnostic tools used and recommendations on treatment

Ultimately, experts, parents and youths acknowledge that social media exposure is inevitable in this age, adding that it is important to help the young understand how to use social media in moderation and within boundaries

Eventually, with her encouragement, Josiah sought professional help last year through a boxing and group therapy programme organised by youth-based non-profit organisation Impart, after being addicted for almost three years.

The three teenagers' experiences echo the findings of studies around the world on the detrimental impact that social media could have on one's mental health.

TODAY's Big Read had previously reported about youths' chase for "likes" on social media and the dangers it poses.

Last year, Singapore saw its highest number of suicide rates since 2000, with the greatest number of deaths being among young people aged 20 to 29, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said in June.

For those aged 10 to 29, suicide remained the leading cause of death for the fourth consecutive year, constituting more than one-third (33.6 per cent) of all deaths within this group. Suicide deaths also rose from 112 in 2021 to 125 in 2022, among this group.

While there are no local studies conclusively linking social media use with suicide, United States research psychologist Jean Twenge argues that there is an indisputable connection between the rise of smartphones and social media and a decline in teen mental health globally.

In May, the US' top health official, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, also issued a stark warning to parents, tech companies and regulators, saying that evidence is growing about how social media use could have a "profound risk of harm" on children and adolescents' mental health and well-being.

While acknowledging the benefits of social media, Dr Murthy noted that it also contains "extreme, inappropriate and harmful content" which could "normalise" self-harm and suicide.

It could also perpetuate body dissatisfaction, eating disorders and depression and expose children to online bullying while they are still undergoing a critical stage in brain development, Dr Murthy warned in his report.

WHY THE YOUNG ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of social media addiction, experts told TODAY.

Ms Ranjini Veerappan, a certified addiction specialist at Holistic Psychotherapy Centre, said that a child's brain is still maturing and rapidly developing until they are about 25 years old.

As their decision-making ability, impulse control and judgement are still being developed, excessive social media use could impact their brain development and potentially lead to long-term cognitive and emotional consequences, she said.

Given their age, they may also have limited coping skills to manage difficult situations that may arise in the digital world, which could affect their mental health, Ms Veerappan added.

Ms Julianna Pang, an addictions therapist from Visions by Promises, the addictions treatment arm of Promises Healthcare, said research has shown that adolescent brains between the ages of 10 and 19 show an increased sensitivity to social cues and rewards.

"Pre-teens between 10 and 12 are particularly vulnerable to the need for the attention and admiration of others," she added.

Ms Jeanette Houmayune, a professional counsellor and family therapist at Talk Your Heart Out, noted that children and youths' constant comparison of their body image, lifestyle and social life with those of their friends on social media platforms could impact their self-esteem.

"LEFT OUT" IF NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Most of the nine teenagers, aged 13 to 18, whom TODAY spoke to acknowledged that being on social media has affected their mental health in varying ways - from skewing their perceptions of beauty, to reducing their attention span, self-esteem and ability to process emotions.

Only one teenager, 16-year-old Natalie Tan, said that she does not have any social media presence to begin with - though it was not a personal choice, but one mandated by her parents.

"We're all at the age where (with) our hormones and everything, we're very prone to comparing ourselves to other people - in the sense that I already compare myself to others in real life, there's no need for me to compare myself to other people whom I don't even know online," said Natalie.

She added that she had seen how her peers compared themselves to images of "women with perfect bodies" on social media.

While not being on social media has been healthy for her in a way, it does make her feel like she is missing out on some things at times.

Natalie said that a lot of conversation topics discussed by her friends tend to start from things they have seen online.

"Because of that, I don't know what they are talking about, so sometimes I feel a bit left out. I can only sit there and nod, but I have no idea what's going on."

For Nadheeruddin, because he uses social media to "check on what's happening", he worries that he might become "clueless" if he stops using it completely.

Dr Jeremy Sng, a lecturer at Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Social Sciences, said: "Many studies have claimed to find links between social media use and mental health issues, but the causal direction of these studies is actually unclear."

It is important to also consider the study's methodology, as correlation does not always mean causation, he said.

"The effects of social media are very difficult to disentangle, because it's not that we are only using social media.

"We are also doing a lot of other things - we are going to school, we're dealing with family, relationships and all that. So it's difficult to pinpoint that something has happened solely because of social media."

Dr Loh from Promises Healthcare added: "For social media, it has been around for barely past a decade, so we are still trying to understand downstream implications."

Signs of a social media addict

When does social media consumption morph into social media addiction?

To this, Ms Jane Goh, deputy director of creative and youth services at the Singapore Association for Mental Health, said: "As a simple rule of thumb, if you find yourself constantly refreshing your social media applications and chasing validation and likes online, or posting to garner attention, then it could be time to reevaluate your social media habits."

Experts also say that the long hours spent on Instagram, TikTok and the like may not necessarily be a sign of such an addiction. Instead, a good gauge of whether one's social media use has become problematic is when it starts to displace other activities.

"Healthy social media use may look different for each person," said Ms Leong from Sofia Wellness Clinic.

"Before I would call any behaviour an 'addiction', I look at three different factors - tolerance, dependency and dysfunction," she said.

Dr Ong of IMH added that for symptoms to be pathological, it must affect the person's daily functioning, which could include avoiding school, giving up social gatherings, or experiencing mood swings.

"When all these things break down, that is when it's a sign that it's more than just a hobby. It's a sign of an addiction.

"If a young person spends many hours on social media but still makes time to meet friends and have perfect relationships, including doing well in school, eating well and sleeping well, then in the eyes of the person and the clinician, it might not be considered a problem," he said.

Mr Mark Rozario, a clinical psychologist at Mind What Matters, added that while the disruption of one's daily routine or schedule can be a clear sign of risk, another signal is if one is also spending more time on social media than initially planned.

"Youths may not identify it themselves, so it could also be their peers, siblings, (or) close ones who point it out," he added.

Regardless, addiction is a progressive illness with increasing severity of symptoms, said Ms Pang of Visions by Promises.

"Instead of focusing on whether or not there is an addiction before seeking help, early intervention is encouraged. In this regard, it would be helpful to look for signs of mood changes, changes in self-care habits, or difficulty in self-regulation when there is an interruption to use," she added.

"EMPOWERING" YOUTHS TO ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES

Since there is no escaping from a rapidly digitalising world, parents, professionals, policymakers and social media companies alike will have to navigate the myriad challenges, alongside children and youths' exposure to, and use of, the various platforms, experts told TODAY.

To protect Singaporeans from harmful online content, Parliament passed a law in November which empowers the authorities to issue directions to online communication services to ensure local users are protected from content such as sexual violence and terrorism.

Providers who fail to comply with these directions could be subjected to fines of up to S$1 million (US$750,000).

To minimise the damage that social media could do to young people, Dr Murthy, the US Surgeon General, said in his report that parents and caregivers can create a family media plan which sets technology boundaries at home, create tech-free zones and report problematic content and activity.

Ms Jane Goh, deputy director of creative and youth services at the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), said that educating the young on social media use would be the way to go.

"While preventing the use of social media would seem like a simple solution, it would also create a feeling of isolation from their peers, creating a feeling of Fear Of Missing Out (Fomo)," said Ms Goh, echoing the sentiments of youths like Nadheeruddin and Natalie.

Agreeing, Ms Nicole Pang, who is head of mental health care at Impart, said that managing social media use is not solely about limiting the amount of time spent, but in empowering youths to establish their boundaries and make active decisions on the kind of content they would like to engage in or not interact with.

Rebecca's father, Mr Kui Tuck Meng, 62, said: "We are at the age where we need to allow our children to use all these social media for their social interactions, which have their good side, as long as they are able to control its usage and are discerning to access and avoid bad social media postings."

In turn, Rebecca said that teens like herself are still forming their world view and will require some form of guidance.

"Hence, although I think we're capable of managing our social media usage, parents should still check in and remind their children to strike a balance between social media and their offline lives."

Mr Brucely Christopher Edison, who has two sons aged 18 and 20, noted that with mobile phones becoming a necessity, it is hard to control what children use them for.

"For me, I think it's almost virtually impossible to control them, because the moment you give them a phone, it's an open channel and they are able to set up (social media) accounts," said the 49-year-old business-owner.

He added that if parents were aware of what their children did on social media, they would be able to pick up on instances when their children were influenced and "bring them back".

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The Big Read: Teenagers hooked on social media - what's the cost to their mental health?

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SINGAPORE: Fourteen-year-old student Nadheeruddin Tajuddin spends about four to five hours a day on social media, sometimes until the wee hours of the morning, which leaves him waking up the next day feeling "not that great". At times, he even finds himself getting dizzy or sick after consecutive weeks