All-In Breakdown

Social Media's Impact on Youth

Topic

The correlation between increased use of immersive digital worlds, like social media, and negative mental health outcomes in young people, including depression, isolation, and suicide.

First Mentioned

1/4/2026, 3:45:36 AM

Last Updated

1/4/2026, 3:48:07 AM

Research Retrieved

1/4/2026, 3:48:07 AM

Summary

Social media's impact on youth is a complex topic involving the psychological and social consequences of digital platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Instagram on younger generations. While these technologies facilitate community building and learning through a dialogic transmission model, they are increasingly scrutinized for contributing to mental health maladies, including anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Public figures like Chamath Palihapitiya have highlighted concerns regarding isolation, particularly as new immersive technologies like the Apple Vision Pro emerge. Research from institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins indicates that high-frequency use—often defined as more than three times a day—correlates with poor well-being and exposure to cyberbullying, which affects nearly half of adolescents. Furthermore, the algorithmic prioritization of engagement-driven content often amplifies misinformation and negative emotions, exacerbating political polarization and undermining democratic processes.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Societal Impact

    Political polarization, undermining of democracy, and viral spread of misinformation

  • Negative Effects

    Mental health issues, sleep problems, attention issues, feelings of exclusion, and suicidality

  • Positive Effects

    Connection, community building, learning, co-creation of content, and memory sharing

  • Primary Platforms

    Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, WeChat

  • Transmission Model

    Dialogic (many-to-many)

  • Cyberbullying Prevalence

    Almost 50% of adolescents

  • High-Frequency Usage Risk

    Usage more than 3 times a day predicts poor mental health and well-being

Timeline
  • AM Khalaf et al. publish a study in PMC/NCBI linking smartphone and social media use to increased mental distress and suicidality in teenagers. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2023-08-01

  • Johns Hopkins Children’s Center releases a study showing that factors beyond just social media use may be causing depression in young adults. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2024-05-01

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) Europe publishes a report addressing the impact of screens and social media on teen mental health. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2024-09-25

Wikipedia
View on Wikipedia
Social media

Social media are new media technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing and aggregation of content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) amongst virtual communities and networks. Common features include: Online platforms enable users to create and share content and participate in social networking. User-generated content—such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through online interactions. Service-specific profiles that are designed and maintained by the social media organization. Social media helps the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals or groups. The term social in regard to media suggests platforms enable communal activity. Social media helps people connect and build networks. Users access social media through web-based or mobile applications. These interactive platforms allow individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations to share, co-create, discuss, participate in, and modify user-generated or self-curated content. Social media is used to share memories, form friendships, build communities and learn. They may be used to promote people, companies, products, and ideas. Social media can be used to consume, publish, or share news. Popular social media platforms with over 100 million registered users include Twitter, Facebook, WeChat, ShareChat, Instagram, Pinterest, QZone, Weibo, VK, Tumblr, Baidu Tieba, Threads and LinkedIn. Depending on interpretation, other popular platforms that are sometimes referred to as social media services include YouTube, Letterboxd, QQ, Quora, Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, LINE, Snapchat, Viber, Reddit, Discord, and TikTok. Wikis are examples of collaborative content creation. Social media outlets differ from old media (e.g. newspapers, TV, and radio broadcasting) in many ways, including quality, reach, frequency, usability, relevancy, and permanence. Social media outlets operate in a dialogic transmission system (many sources to many receivers) while traditional media operate under a monologic transmission model (one source to many receivers). For instance, a newspaper is delivered to many subscribers, and a radio station broadcasts the same programs to a city. Social media has been criticized for a range of negative impacts on children and teenagers, including exposure to inappropriate content, exploitation by adults, sleep problems, attention problems, feelings of exclusion, and various mental health maladies. Social media has also received criticism as worsening political polarization and undermining democracy, exacerbated by platform capture by vested interests, with journalist Maria Ressa deeming it "toxic sludge" for increasing distrust among members of society. Major news outlets often have strong controls in place to avoid and fix false claims, but social media's unique qualities bring viral content with little to no oversight. "Algorithms that track user engagement to prioritize what is shown tend to favor content that spurs negative emotions like anger and outrage. Overall, most online misinformation originates from a small minority of "superspreaders," but social media amplifies their reach and influence."

Web Search Results
  • Impact of Social Media on Youth

    Cyberbullying: Almost half of adolescents have experienced cyberbullying, harassment, or aggressive behavior online.

  • Teens and social media use: What's the impact? - Mayo Clinic

    Teens and social media use: What's the impact? Teens and social media use: What's the impact? Based on about 1,300 responses, the survey found that 35% of teens use at least one of five social media platforms more than several times a day. Sometimes, social media platforms help teens:. Social media use may have negative effects on some teens. The researchers found that using social media more than three times a day predicted poor mental health and well-being in teens. But not all research has found a link between time spent on social media and mental health risks in teens. You can take steps to help your teens use social media responsibly and limit some of the possible negative effects. Talk to your child's healthcare professional if you think your teen has symptoms of anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns related to social media use. 4. Social media and teens. 4. Teens and social media use Whats the impact.

  • The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health ...

    by AM Khalaf · 2023 · Cited by 363 — Smartphone and social media use among teenagers relates to an increase in mental distress, self-harming behaviors, and suicidality.

  • Social Media and Mental Health in Children and Teens

    [Skip to Main Content](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens#skip). ![Image 2: a teen girl uses her phone to research social media and depression](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/3_-wellness/kids-and-teens-health/social-media-and-depression-hero.jpg?h=500&iar=0&mh=500&mw=1300&w=1297&hash=5C6FCB6281402645E2D662D1FD1C95DE). ![Image 3: a teen girl uses her phone to research social media and depression](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/3_-wellness/kids-and-teens-health/social-media-and-depression-hero.jpg?h=500&iar=0&mh=500&mw=1300&w=1297&hash=5C6FCB6281402645E2D662D1FD1C95DE). ![Image 4: a teen girl uses her phone to research social media and depression](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/3_-wellness/kids-and-teens-health/social-media-and-depression-hero.jpg?h=500&iar=0&mh=500&mw=1300&w=1297&hash=5C6FCB6281402645E2D662D1FD1C95DE). [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens). [Carol Vidal, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.,](https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/carol-vidal/2704617) child and adolescent psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, and [Jennifer Katzenstein, Ph.D.,](https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/jennifer-margaret-katzenstein/2704497) co-director of the Center for Behavioral Health at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, talk about what is known of social media’s effects on mental health in children and teens. [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens). [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens). [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens). [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens). [Read more about this study](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2024/05/johns-hopkins-childrens-center-study-shows-more-than-just-social-media-use-may-be-causing-depression-in-young-adults). ![Image 8: Sakina Butt, Psy.D., ABPP-CN, pediatric neuropsychologist at Johns Hopkins All Children's](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/3_-wellness/how-to-foster-cultural-awareness-teaser.jpg?h=320&iar=0&w=560&hash=C7B8070BBCB533191ADCDADF131E0FCE). * [### Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/what-we-treat/specialties/child-adolescent-psychiatry)The Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Baltimore, Maryland provides the highest quality care to its patients, offering hospital-based intensive evaluation and treatment programs, as well as outpatient services. * [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient-care/patients-visitors/language-assistance-services#Burmese). * [](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient-care/patients-visitors/language-assistance-services#English). [Manage Cookie Preferences](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/social-media-and-mental-health-in-children-and-teens).

  • Teens, screens and mental health

    * [[Resources](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [Feature stories](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/feature-stories). * [Multimedia](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/multimedia). * [Publications](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/publications). * [Tools and toolkits](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/tools-and-toolkits). * [[Popular](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [Ukraine emergency](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular/ukraine-emergency). * [Nutrition](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular/nutrition). * [[Our work](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Our work](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/our-work)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Policies](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/policies)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [One health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/policies/One-health). * [[Flagship initiatives](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/flagship-initiatives)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [Empowerment through Digital Health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/flagship-initiatives/empowerment-through-digital-health). * [[Core priorities](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/core-priorities)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Newsroom](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/newsroom/newsroom)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Data at WHO/Europe](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/data/data-at-who-europe)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Highlights](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/data/highlights)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[About 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[[About WHO Europe](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/about-us/about-who-europe)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Governance](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/about-us/governance)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [[Partnerships](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/about-us/partnerships)](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#). * [Resources](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources). * [Feature stories](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/feature-stories). * [Multimedia](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/multimedia). * [Publications](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/publications). * [Tools and toolkits](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/tools-and-toolkits). * [Popular](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular). * [Ukraine emergency](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular/ukraine-emergency). * [Nutrition](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular/nutrition). * [One health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/policies/One-health). * [Empowerment through Digital Health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/flagship-initiatives/empowerment-through-digital-health). * [About us](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/data/about-us). * [Data and digital health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/data/about-us/data-and-digital-health). * [About health emergencies](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/emergencies/our-work/about-health-emergencies). * [Resources](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources). * [Multimedia](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/multimedia). * [Publications](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/publications). * [Tools and toolkits](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/resources/tools-and-toolkits). * [Popular](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular). * [Ukraine emergency](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular/ukraine-emergency). * [Nutrition](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/health-topics/popular/nutrition). * [One health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/policies/One-health). * [Empowerment through Digital Health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/our-work/flagship-initiatives/empowerment-through-digital-health). * [About us](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/data/about-us). * [Data and digital health](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/data/about-us/data-and-digital-health). * [About health emergencies](https://www.who.int/europe/redirect-pages/navigation/emergencies/our-work/about-health-emergencies).