Teens and Social Media
Everything we know so far.
Two young girls videoing themselves on a phone
Research into social media and youth has become a rich area. New studies into how social media affects teens’ mental health, sleep, grades, productivity and more are shared all the time.
Think of this as a guide for what we understand so far about the effects of social media on teens. Read on for insights, tips, and more.
The Influence of Social Media on Adolescents
Social media’s role in the lives of adolescents (ages 10-19) has become a significant area of research, particularly concerning mental health. While adults have long grappled with its effects, the unique challenges faced by adolescents—whose brains are still developing—make understanding this connection even more critical.
This concern is compounded by the fact that today’s generations are growing up with social media from the time they’re born.
How Gender Shapes Your Social Media Experience
Research by Dr. Cara Booker and her team offers a detailed look at how gender influences the impact of social media on well-being. Their longitudinal study followed 10 to 15-year-olds over five years and assessed social media use, life satisfaction, and behavioural challenges.
Usage patterns: Girls use social media more than boys. By 13, half of the girls spent over an hour daily on social media, compared to 1/3 of boys.
Impact on well-being: Girls experienced a greater decline in well-being, with a 3.61% drop from ages 10 - 15, compared to a 1.47% drop in boys. Emotional and behavioural difficulties also increased in girls while boys showed fewer changes.
Body image pressures: The heightened exposure to body image messaging and societal expectations on social media disproportionately affects girls.
The Long-Term Effects of Screen Time
A study led by Sarah Coyne explored the relationship between social media use and mental health over eight years, tracking 500 adolescents. The findings challenged common assumptions.
Individual vs. group patterns: Teens who used more social media tended to report higher anxiety and depression. However, when examining individuals over time, increased or decreased social media use did not correspond with changes in mental health.
Moderating factors: Stressors such as puberty and life transitions likely play a more significant role in mental health outcomes than social media alone. Coyne’s team emphasized the need to consider specific online activities rather than total screen time.
How Social Media Use Affects Psychosocial Adjustment
Christopher Barry’s research focused on the relationship between teens’ social media habits and their ability to adapt to their environment (psychosocial adjustment). This study, which surveyed 113 parent-teen pairs, revealed the following:
The number of platforms matters: Teens with more social media accounts struggled more with adaptation. For example, a teen managing five accounts often found it harder to function in school and family settings compared to a peer with only one account.
Parental involvement: The data on parental monitoring’s impact was mixed. While Barry’s study didn’t find significant effects, other research suggests that thoughtful parental engagement—such as connecting with teens on social media—can foster positive outcomes.
Two people walking in opposite directions while looking at their phones.
How Teens Can Use Social Media Healthily
While the research is nuanced, several strategies can help adolescents maintain a healthy relationship with social media:
Set boundaries: Encourage reasonable limits on social media use, such as turning off notifications and creating phone-free zones at home.
Content awareness: Not all screen time is equal. Prioritize meaningful interactions (e.g., messaging friends) over passive scrolling.
Parental engagement: Maintain open communication about online experiences. A balanced approach—monitoring without micromanaging—can help teens navigate social media responsibly.
The Future of Social Media Use
As social media continues to evolve, so too will its impact on adolescents. More longitudinal studies are needed to untangle the complexities of screen time, mental health, and psychosocial adjustment. For now, fostering awareness and creating supportive environments can mitigate potential risks while harnessing social media’s benefits for connection and self-expression.
A person taking a picture of a woman.
Social media addiction statistics to take away:
The average person spends 2.5 hours on social media daily.
~210 million people worldwide are addicted to social media.
Over 50% of all drivers check social media behind the wheel.
Overuse of social media in teens can rewire their brains.
~42 percent of teens admit social media keeps them from connecting with friends in person.
In a recent survey, 70 percent of teens said they feel left out or excluded because of social media.
Social media is more addictive than alcohol and cigarettes.
Source: The Lanier Law Firm
Study Objective & Methods
Adolescent social media use and mental health from adolescent and parent perspectives
Christopher T. Barry, PhD; Chloe L. Sidoti, BA; Shanelle M. Briggs, BSc; Shari R. Reiter, PhD; Rebecca A. Lindsey, PhD
Published in the Journal of Adolescence, 2017.
The objective of this study was to discover any correlations between social media use in adolescents and their ability to adjust to their environment. 226 people participated in the research, with 113 parent-adolescent pairs making up this sample. The adolescents’ ages ranged from 14-17, an age group chosen due to the relative autonomy, ability, and opportunity for these ages to spend time online. Both the parents and the adolescents filled in surveys reporting on the specifics of the teens’ social media use. Information such as which social media platforms, number of social media accounts, the frequency with which they check their accounts, and how connected they were to their parents on social media were included in both surveys. The parents’ survey also included an entire section of DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) symptoms, and they were asked to check off all that applied to their teens. All results of this study were self-reported by the participants, and that data was analyzed as a collective to discover any patterns.
Social Media and Well-Being Training
This research (and all our social media and well-being articles) have laid the foundation for our 3-course program designed for anyone wanting to approach social media and communications in a way that protects well-being and puts people first. Learn more here.
