Social media use is linked to a rise in mental health problems among teens, study shows

In a paper published in the journal Nature Reviews Psychology, researchers from Germany and the UK described the mechanisms through which social media may influence behavioural, cognitive and neurobiological changes in adolescents, which in turn increases vulnerability to mental illness.

Adolescence is associated with a variety of behavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological changes that help adolescents emerge from family dependency and establish themselves as independent individuals in society.

These evolving changes may potentially increase adolescents' vulnerability to a variety of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and mood disorders.

Social media use among teenagers has increased exponentially in recent years. Recent estimates suggest that 95% of 15-year-olds in the UK use social media, while 50% of US teenagers aged 13-17 report being constantly online.

A growing body of evidence suggests that social media may potentially influence developmental changes in adolescents and leave them vulnerable to developing a variety of mental health disorders.

Behavioural Mechanisms Linking Social Media Use to Adolescent Mental Health The authors focused on two behavioural mechanisms that may influence the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.

Risky behavior in publications

Teens often engage in riskier behaviors than adults due to uncontrollable sensation-seeking behaviors and a lack of self-regulation abilities. Teen risk behaviors are known to increase their risk of developing mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse.

Extreme social media posts, such as those related to alcohol consumption, receive more likes from their audience, which in turn encourages riskier behavior from users who expect more likes from their audience.

Research examining the relationship between online and offline risky behaviors finds a positive association between adolescents' use of social media and their engagement in behaviors that may put them at risk of harm or injury.

Teens generally underestimate the risks of posting compromising information on social media. Such posts can be screenshotted and widely shared among a diverse audience, which can subsequently increase their risk of experiencing cyberbullying, online harassment, and victimization.

Self-presentation and identity

Adolescence is characterized by an abundance of self-presentation activities on social media. Teens often reveal, hide, and change their true selves on social media to create a desired impression on the audience.

People receive more direct and public feedback on their self-presentation on social media than in offline environments, giving them more opportunities to shape their identity. Existing research has found a link between increased social media use and long-term declines in self-esteem clarity.

On the other hand, social media can help teens explore different aspects of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Emerging evidence suggests that transgender people experience positive emotions when they reveal their identity on supportive social platforms.

Cognitive Mechanisms Linking Social Media Use to Adolescent Mental Health The authors focused on four cognitive mechanisms that may influence the impact of social media use on adolescent mental health.

Developing self-awareness

Self-concept, defined as a person's beliefs and evaluations about their qualities and traits, can be influenced by socio-emotional processes such as self-esteem and social feedback. Negative self-concept may increase the risk of adverse mental health conditions.

The ability to personalize content may significantly increase the impact of social media on the development of self-awareness in adolescence. It has been found that adolescents who spend a lot of time on social media develop negative self-concepts.

Social comparison

The development of self-awareness may be influenced by social comparison, especially during adolescence. Receiving personalized content on a topic of interest may prompt adolescents to compare themselves to the people depicted in that content. Additionally, the number of likes and reactions to self-presentational posts on social media may influence users’ perceptions of social rank.

Such social comparisons, particularly those related to body image, can negatively impact adolescents' mental health and increase the risk of developing socio-emotional and eating disorders.

Social feedback

High socialization with peers and fear of social rejection are two prominent characteristics in the life of an adolescent. Existing data indicate that oversensitivity to social rejection is moderately associated with depression and anxiety.

Teens already experiencing peer bullying have been found to develop severe symptoms of depression due to a lack of online peer approval.

Social inclusion and exclusion

Online social inclusion or acceptance has a protective effect against emotional disorders in adolescents, while online social exclusion is associated with low self-esteem and negative emotions.

Teens who do not receive the attention or feedback they desire on social media are more likely to develop a decreased sense of belonging, worth, self-esteem, and control.

Neurobiological mechanisms linking social media use to adolescent mental health

Overall, this comprehensive study highlights the multifaceted impact of social media on adolescent mental health, not only through direct contact but also by exacerbating internal developing vulnerabilities during this critical period. While social media offers unprecedented opportunities for self-expression and social interaction, it also poses unique challenges due to adolescents’ heightened sensitivity to social feedback and the complex interplay of their rapidly developing neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral landscapes.

Future research should delve deeper into the subtle ways social media interacts with developing mechanisms to better protect adolescent well-being in the digital age. By focusing on the specific affordances of digital platforms and their potential to influence adolescent behavior and brain development, researchers can help formulate targeted interventions that reduce harm and enhance the positive aspects of social media use. These efforts require policymakers, educators, parents, and adolescents to work together to develop strategies that recognize the profound impact of the digital environment on young minds.

Finally, as we navigate this ever-changing digital landscape, it’s critical to create an environment where teens can thrive both online and offline. Understanding how social media impacts mental health is just the first step to reducing risks and building resilience for future generations.