Expert Links Increase in Teen Depression With Social Media Usage

An expert claimed a connection between the rise in teen depression and the increased use of social media platforms, according to a report by Fox News.

Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and professor at San Diego State University, highlighted the correlation between the surge in social media usage and the spike in depressive symptoms among teenagers in her book titled "Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents - and What They Mean for America's Future."

Students Say They Don't Enjoy Their Life

The University of Michigan has been conducting polls since 1991, surveying 50,000 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades about their agreement with specific questions related to depression.

Results from these polls revealed a concerning trend, showing a steady increase in the number of students expressing agreement with statements indicating low enjoyment of life. Since 2012, the number of students agreeing with such statements has more than doubled.

In a recent national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children's Mental Health, it was found that 50% of parents with children under 18 believe their child's mental health has been negatively affected by social media use over the past year.

This survey has raised concerns about the impact of social media platforms on the mental well-being of children and adolescents.

The On Our Sleeves Movement advocates for regular conversations between parents and children regarding the effects of social media on mental health. While platforms like TikTok have implemented new security measures, Dr. Ariana Hoet, the clinical director of On Our Sleeves, cautions that these measures may not be sufficient.

Dr. Hoet warns about the potential triggers of anxiety and depression in children through exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and other negative effects of social media.

However, she acknowledges that not all social media experiences are negative and that these platforms can also promote social connections, relationships, and self-discovery.

According to the survey, the belief that social media has a positive influence on children's mental health has decreased from 43% in 2022 to only 35% among Americans.

APA Issues Health Advisory for Social Media

These findings have led to the American Psychology Association (APA) issuing a comprehensive health advisory in response to the growing concerns about social media's impact on adolescent well-being.

The APA advisory emphasizes the importance of understanding both the potential benefits and risks associated with social media use among young people.

It highlights that the effects of social media are highly dependent on individual characteristics, social circumstances, and the specific features and content available on different platforms.

The advisory presents a collection of evidence-based recommendations to various stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, educators, policymakers, practitioners, and members of the tech industry. These recommendations aim to foster the well-being of adolescents in the digital age.

They include encouraging healthy socialization, tailoring social media designs to suit developmental capabilities, adult monitoring, and involvement, reducing exposure to harmful content, addressing cyberhate and bullying, monitoring for problematic social media use, balancing media use with sleep and physical activity, minimizing social comparison, promoting social media literacy, and supporting continued research on the impacts of social media on adolescent development.

By following these recommendations, it is hoped that the negative impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents can be mitigated while also maximizing its potential for positive social interactions and self-expression.