The Connection Between Social Media and Teen Depression
The increase in social media use is no surprise to families with teens and young adults. Plus, there’s growing concern about social media’s effects on developing minds. That view is expressed by both public health and pediatric professionals, such as the Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“The current body of evidence indicates that while social media may have benefits for some children and adolescents, there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.” Surgeon General, p. 4
Our blog offers you insights into social media’s influence on teens’ social-emotional health, including depression. Data gathered from teens and parents is included, offering a broad view of media use from teens’ and parents’ perspectives.
You’ll read about signs for concern associated with social media use and ways to protect teens from potential media-related harms.
Tech Terminology
Chances are you use technology at work or personally. There are times when it becomes overwhelming, even for adults. Just think about tech in terms of children’s and teens’ well-being. That’s exactly what this blog addresses.
Some social scientists focused on adolescent depression compare social networking sites (SNS) with social media (SM), stating that:
SM includes digital apps and platforms that are interactive. These include a wide range of options, from email and discussion boards, to gaming and dating sites.
The SNS category falls within SM, yet has a greater focus on social interaction and sharing views. These platforms include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, among others.
A Summary of Teens’ Social Media Use
Pew Research Center published key findings about teens and social media in 2023. We include summarized data related to use patterns, teens’ views of their own and others’ use, and security concerns.
The Pew data offers clues to the link between SM use and the potential for teen depression. This awareness underscores adolescent and health professionals’ advice for reducing risk while watching for concerns with your teen.
Key Findings: Teens Use of Social Media
The Pew Research Center findings highlight use frequency. This data includes the challenges that teens themselves identify with their use of SM.
95% of teens ages 13-17 state that they have viewed YouTube
Teens reporting daily use of YouTube is 77%, whereas 50% report daily Instagram use
Just over one-third of teens feel they use social media too much, with female teens reporting this more than their male peers
About half of teens share that it would be hard for them to give up SM use
Teens’ Opinions of SM Use
That same source notes that both girls and boys report upsides and downsides to SM use, with girls ranking higher on both. These findings reveal that teens are clear about the negative effects of SM, underscoring the need for strengthened SM management and interventions.
Positives:
feeling more connected and supported socially
Negatives:
38% of teens report what they see on social media makes them feel overwhelmed because of all the drama
Approximately 31% of teens report SM making them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things
29% report feeling pressure to post content to fit in or get “likes” and “comments”
23% say that what they see on social media makes them feel worse about their own life
Teens report concerns about bullying and information security
Half believe there should be deterrents for those who bully others on SM
About 40% are careful about what they post
They express concerns about the personal information sites collect
About 40% of teens report that their parents worry a little or not at all about their SM use
Parents’ Outlook on Teens and SM
The data associated with parental concerns reveals the need for increased awareness of the potential for serious harms of SM use for children and teens.
According to the Pew Research Center report:
Parents shared that their main concern was that teens were exposed to explicit material
This was followed closely by misuse of time
Concerns about being bullied, becoming depressed, on having lowered self-esteem ranked lowest as parents’ primary worry
SM Use and Depression
The above information offers a current view of adolescent SM use. It reveals that teens often spend hours per day on social media. At the same time, their view of their own use, and that of others, can be skewed.
That view heightens parents’ and professionals’ concerns that teens are at serious risk for depression because of the hours they spend online. A review of international studies over the last two decades reveals that:
There is a relationship between SM use and teen depression.
The effects of various forms of SM use on depression may not become apparent for several months to a year.
Depression signs may become more apparent in a teen who already has underlying issues, such as low self-esteem.
SM use can have a positive effect, although reliance on it for a teen’s primary social connection often becomes a negative.
Parental and family involvement in a teen’s life, including conversations about SM use, aids in limiting negative effects.
The Surgeon General’s report on social media and teen well-being notes that:
A large U.S. study conducted over time found that teens spending more than 3 hours a day on SM use doubled their risk for depression and/or anxiety.
Ages 10 to 19 are the formative years for crucial brain development. SM use during this time of life is shown to be associated with:
Increased emotional sensitivity and reactivity
Decrease life-satisfaction, affecting girls as young as 11-13 years, and boys as young as ages 14-15.
SM usage is linked to:
An increase in a teen’s dissatisfaction with their body
Increased risk for self-harm or suicidal ideation
These negatives occur during the years when teens are likely to engage in risk-taking
While SM use has downsides, it can be beneficial, based on the circumstances, such as:
Expressing and sharing creativity and common interests
Fostering connections with others who have a similar lifestyle
Being supported through tough times
Addressing SM use and teen well-being is the responsibility of policymakers, tech companies, parents, caregivers, and teens too.
Signs for Concern
Knowing your teen’s temperament, interests, and social connections help to guide you as you contemplate their relationship with SM. These provide a backdrop for observing, and talking with them, about:
Any changes you’ve noticed in their routines, from increased time alone to having trouble getting up in the morning
New ways of dressing, language use, or preferences, such as music
Becoming withdrawn, sullen, or acting differently with family members
Having new friends or being part of a new group that you’ve not met
Being worried about their sense of self-worth, as it’s recently gone into a slump
This is a time to trust your parental love and instincts. It’s also a time to reach out to a teen therapist to discuss your concerns and plan next steps. As you prepare for and take this step, consider talking over any of the following points with your teen:
The meaning SM has for them, including their favorite sites
Any sites or platforms they don’t like and why
People they’ve met online and the level of trust they have…or don’t have
Your own experiences with SM, including the positives and the not-so-good things
The concerns you and others have about the negative effects of SM on the social-emotional well-being of children, teens, and young adults
How you manage your own SM use, balancing it with other responsibilities
Issues you or your friends have had with being hacked and the ramifications of marginal security measures
The reasons you have for limiting the time they spend on SM
Why you place security restrictions on their devices
Each step you take lets your teen know that your devotion and love for them extends from home and community into the cybersphere.
