The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health in Teenagers by GLYNIS CLAIRE MORDEN

What is mental health?

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 08:12:50 UTC

For teenagers, good mental health helps them handle stress, build strong relationships, do well in school, and make healthy choices. It includes emotional well-being, coping with challenges, and feeling good about themselves.

Social Media & Teen Mental Health: Key Stats

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 08:25:59 UTC

1 in 3 teens say that social media negatively affects their mood.
50% of teens report feeling overwhelmed by drama on social media.
24% of teens say that social media makes them feel worse about their own life.

How Social Media Helps Teens

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 08:38:56 UTC

Social media isn’t all bad—many teens use it in positive ways:

Community Support: Teens can find people going through similar struggles, join support groups, or follow mental health pages that offer helpful advice and encouragement.
Example: A teen struggling with anxiety may follow accounts that share coping tips or inspiring stories.
Self-Expression: Social media gives teens a place to express themselves through art, writing, fashion, or music.
This can boost confidence and help them feel more understood.
Activism & Awareness: Teens use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to speak out about mental health, bullying, body image, and more.
They can raise awareness, support causes, and make a difference.

Risks of Too Much Screen Time

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 08:51:53 UTC

In this NBC News segment, journalist Kate Snow sits down with four teenagers who candidly share their experiences with social media. They discuss how constant notifications, online comparisons, and the pressure to maintain a certain image contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. One teen mentions how late-night scrolling leads to sleep disturbances, affecting their overall well-being. This video provides firsthand accounts that highlight the real challenges teens face in the digital age.

What Psychologists Say

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 09:01:42 UTC

“Today’s children and teens do not know a world without digital technology, but the digital world wasn’t built with children’s healthy mental development in mind. We need an approach to help children both on and offline that meets each child where they are while also working to make the digital spaces they inhabit safer and healthier. The Surgeon General’s Advisory calls for just that approach. The American Academy of Pediatrics looks forward to working with the Surgeon General and other federal leaders on Youth Mental Health and Social Media on this important work.”

– Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

What Teens Say

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 09:06:57 UTC

"Sometimes I feel like I have to be perfect online. If I don’t get enough likes, I start doubting myself." – 16-year-old girl

"I stay up late scrolling, and then I’m exhausted in the morning. But I don’t want to miss anything." – 15-year-old boy

"Seeing everyone post their best moments makes me feel like I’m missing out, even if I know it's not real." – 17-year-old girl

According to a Pew Research Center survey:

38% of teens say social media has a negative impact on their mental health.
24% say it has a mostly positive effect, and 36% say it's neither good nor bad.

Source: Pew Research Center – Teens, Social Media & Mental Health

TikTok & Mental Health – A Look Inside

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 09:18:08 UTC

This CBS News segment explores how teenagers are increasingly using TikTok to seek mental health advice, often leading to self-diagnosis. The video features interviews with teens who share their experiences of finding relatable content on the platform, as well as experts who express concern over the potential for misinformation. It highlights the double-edged sword of social media: while it offers a sense of community and understanding, it also poses risks when users rely on unverified information for mental health issues.

Where to Get Support

glynisclairemorden — 2025-04-26 09:23:35 UTC

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, here are trusted institutions that offer help:

School Guidance and Counseling Unit
Near hospitals that have Psychologist

2025-04-28 13:19:21 UTC

New research sheds light on teenagers’ use of social media, suggesting the pressure to be online 24 hours a day disrupts their sleep patterns and may lead to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Researchers say the pressure for teenagers to be connected via social media 24 hours a day may impact sleep quality and lead to anxiety and depression.