Mental health challenges among teenagers have been on the rise for over a decade, prompting experts to investigate the role of social media. Parents are increasingly concerned about how to monitor and guide their teens’ social media usage, and they are right to be.
In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a significant advisory, “Social Media and Youth Mental Health,” highlighting growing evidence of social media’s detrimental effects on young people’s mental well-being. This was followed by a health advisory from the American Psychological Association (APA) further emphasizing these concerns. Adding to the urgency, in June 2024, Dr. Murthy advocated for a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, underscoring the potential dangers.
However, the relationship between social media and teens is not straightforward. While significant risks exist, especially concerning harm to mental health, using social media to foster positive connections can be beneficial for some teenagers. Dr. Murthy’s report emphasizes the need for more in-depth research to fully grasp the complex impact of these platforms. For parents navigating this landscape, clear-cut answers remain elusive.
Dr. Linda Mayes, chair of the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC), draws a parallel to the advent of television. “The issues we face now with social media are similar to those we faced when television came out,” she notes. Just as with television, social media presents both advantages and disadvantages for young users. The key challenge, according to Dr. Mayes, is “how do we help parents filter out the parts that may be detrimental?”
Dr. Mayes, along with child psychiatrist Dr. Yann Poncin, also from YCSC, offer guidance to parents seeking to support their teenagers in utilizing social media constructively.
