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1. Teen suicides rise in tandem with cyberbullying

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1. Teen suicides rise in tandem with cyberbullying

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In 2012, 15 year old Grace McComas dies by suicide after being cyberbullied on social media for nearly a year, especially after speaking out about being sexually assaulted. Her mom, Christine, pushed for change and helped pass Grace’s Law in MD to stop online harassment of minors. Now an updated version, Grace’s law 2.0, strengthens those protections by addressing things like fake profiles and threats shared widely online. The story shows how powerful words on social media can be. Another interesting thing is that even though Grace’s mom went to the school the court, the police, and even the bully’s parents, non one was able to stop the harassment.

This heartbreaking story reveals the truth about social media, that it can be a dangerous and unregulated space where harmful words spread quickly and widely, often without consequence. Knowing this, it causes more mental health issues amongst teens such as anxiety, depression, self harm and suicide.

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Infographic: Social Media and Mental Health

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Infographic: Social Media and Mental Health

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This infographic explains how the excessive usage of social media can lead to depression, distorted self image and the fact that they will feel pressured to act or look a certain way. This is what causes mental health issues amongst teenagers.

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3. Social media can destroy the self esteem and body image of teenagers

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3. Social media can destroy the self esteem and body image of teenagers

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Social media has a negative impact on body image in the United States, affecting mental, physical, and social health. Body image issues involve negative feelings and experiences related to one's physical appearance and are often marked by an intense preoccupation with perceived flaws. This issue is extremely common among teenagers.

The harmful effects of constant exposure to idealized images, unrealistic beauty standards, and the influence of social media influencers which are all seen across social media. Contributing factors such as comparison culture, social comparison theory, and the pervasive influence of online personalities all play a role in amplifying these negative effects.

Consequences include risky health behaviors, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. In addition, incredibly low self-esteem.

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Social Media and Mental Health in Children and Teens- Johns Hopkins Medicine 

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Social Media and Mental Health in Children and Teens- Johns Hopkins Medicine 

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"Recent research indicates that those who spend more time on social media tend to show more symptoms of depression..."

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2. Social media disrupts teenagers' developing brains and normalizes harmful behaviors

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2. Social media disrupts teenagers' developing brains and normalizes harmful behaviors

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The brain undergoes a highly sensitive period between the ages of 10 and 19, a critical time when identity and self-worth are developing. Frequent use of social media during this stage may be linked to significant changes in the developing brain, potentially impacting emotional learning, behavior, impulse control, and emotional regulation.

In addition, teens can easily access extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content online. For example, many teen deaths have been connected to exposure to suicide- and self-harm-related content—such as “cutting,” partial asphyxiation, and dangerous social media challenges. Studies also show that discussing or displaying this type of content can normalize harmful behaviors, increasing the risk for vulnerable teens.

These findings underscore the urgent need for stronger safeguards on digital platforms and more support for young people navigating the online world during this formative stage of life.

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How social media influences the mental & behavioral health of children age 13 to 17

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Video: How social media influences the mental & behavioral health of children age 13 to 17

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Video: How social media influences the mental & behavioral health of children age 13 to 17

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The video explains that teenagers are heavily affected by the use of social media and how it causes mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, etc.

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How social media influences the mental & behavioral health of children age 13 to 17