Youth Social Media Use & Mental Health
The United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released a new advisory on social media’s impact on youth mental health on May 23, 2023. While social media can offer some benefits, such as staying connected with friends and family, there are also indications that it can pose a risk to the mental health of youth. Social media use by young people is a commonality in today’s society, with up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 reporting using a social media platform, over a third of whom say they use social media “almost constantly”.
Childhood and adolescence are critical stages in brain development, which can make young people more vulnerable to the harms of social media. The United States Surgeon General is calling for action by policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families, and young people to gain a more complete understanding of the full impact of social media use, maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of social media platforms, and create safer, healthier online environments.
Social media use can become harmful depending on a few different factors such as the amount of time spent on platforms, the kind of content consumed/exposed to, and the degree to which it interrupts essential activities for health such as sleep and physical activity. It is important to note that not all children are affected by social media in the same way, the impact of social media on a child may depend on cultural, historical, and socio-economic factors. While social media does have some negative effects, it can also provide some benefits such as providing youth with a sense of belonging, support, space for creativity, and social connection.
To read the full report or learn more, visit: Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov.
If you are looking to reduce your exposure to negative content and comments on social media, and practice mindfulness to help support your mental health, follow these tips:
Take breaks. Take breaks from social media, including deactivating accounts, setting limits on followers, and changing privacy settings.
Turn off notifications. Cut down on distractions by keeping apps on silent or turning off notifications.
Unfriend, unfollow, mute. Remove people or accounts who do not show you respect or do not make you feel good about yourself.
Track your screen time. Learn how much time you spend on your screen. By tracking how much time you spend on your screen, you can ask yourself what is meaningful to you and what you could spend less time doing. There are many apps to help you with this.
Keep a balanced perspective. Balance how much time you spend online with being social in real life.
Find the joy. Follow communities or causes that you identify with and engage with people that make you feel supported and positive.
