What does the research say about social media and children’s mental health?

Medical Xpress June 19, 2023
By Megan A Moreno

Social media plays an important role in the lives of many tweens and teens. More than one-third (35%) of 13- to 17-year-olds reported using social media sites such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook “almost constantly” in 2022. And while many social media platforms set a minimum age of 13 to sign up, 38% of kids ages 8-12 say they have used social media.

All this media use can influence young people in a variety of ways. And with a reported rise in depression and anxiety among teens, you may wonder how social media may impact your child’s mental health. Research suggests it depends on how they use it. Understanding potential connections between social media and mental health can...

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