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Youth in Public Health
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Social media use among youth is very common. About 95% of those aged 13 to 17 report using a social media platform. More than a third say they use social media almost all the time (1).
The study shows that teens who have problems with social media also report lower mental and social well-being. If this continues, it could affect their development and health in the long run. Social media use is linked to less sleep and later bedtimes. This can affect their health and school performance. The CDC report uses data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 2023. About three out of four high school students in the U.S. say they use social media several times a day. The data also show links between frequent social media use and bullying, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and risk of suicide (2).
Social media can have good and bad effects on youth health behaviours. Problems with social media use are connected to poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and body image issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) says digital literacy education is very important. Unless governments, health authorities, teachers, and parents need to understand the root causes and take steps to fix them (3).
The link between social media and youth mental health is complex. It can go both ways. Researchers and technology companies need to work together. They must quickly learn more about how social media affects children and teens. Some research has been proposed to fill the gaps. It aims to create resources and tools to support youth mental health. But more research is needed now. Youth can try to get the benefits of social media while reducing the risks. This will help create safer and healthier online environments for children (1).
References:
1. Social Media and Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov. (2025, February 19). Hhs.gov. //www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/youth-mental-health/social-media/index.html
2. Young, E., McCain, J. L., Mercado, M. C., Ballesteros, M. F., Moore, S., Laima Licitis, Stinson, J., Jones, S. E., & Wilkins, N. J. (2024). Frequent Social Media Use and Experiences with Bullying Victimization, Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness, and Suicide Risk Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023. MMWR Supplements, 73(4), 23–30. //doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7304a3
3. World. (2024, September 25). Teens, screens and mental health. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. //www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health#:~:text=The%20rise%20in%20problematic%20social,take%20steps%20to%20rectify%20it.
Posted : November 3, 2025 4:09 pm
Social media has become nearly inseparable from the daily lives of young people today. According to research from the Pew Research Center (2023), about 95% of teens aged 13 to 17 use social media, and more than a third say they are "almost constantly" online. While these platforms allow for connection, self-expression, and learning, growing evidence shows concerning effects on youth mental and social well-being. Data from the 2023 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveal that adolescents who use social media frequently experience higher rates of sadness, hopelessness, cyberbullying, and suicidal thoughts. They also get less sleep and tend to go to bed later, which may harm both their health and academic performance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). Research indicates that excessive social media use can lead to anxiety, depression, and negative body image. This highlights the need to help young people navigate online spaces more safely (Odgers & Jensen, 2020). The World Health Organization (2023) emphasizes that tackling this issue requires digital literacy education, along with teamwork from parents, teachers, health professionals, policymakers, and technology companies. As youth keep enjoying the positive aspects of social media, it's crucial to create supportive digital environments that promote healthy usage habits, resilience, and emotional well-being.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Youth Risk Behavior Survey data summary & trends report: 2023. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Odgers, C. L., & Jensen, M. R. (2020). Annual research review: Adolescent mental health in the digital age: Facts, fears, and future directions. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(3), 336–348. //doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13190
Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens, social media and technology 2023. Pew Research Center Internet & Technology.
World Health Organization. (2023). Digital media and children’s mental health: Key considerations for policymakers. WHO.
Posted : November 6, 2025 10:51 am
Social media use is one of the most common activities in today’s world, with adolescents being at particularly high risk of developing problematic use (van den Eijnden et al., 2016). Social media sites can be defined as virtual communities where users can interact in several ways across various platforms. Such sites include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, to name a few; however, new sites are constantly emerging. Users can engage in a variety of activities designed to satisfy basic social needs, including chatting with friends, meeting new people, sharing photos and videos, blogging, dating, and gambling (Andreassen, 2015). A fundamental aspect of social media is the development and maintenance of one’s identity and reputation (Meshi et al., 2015). Social media sites provide constant social rewards to users, with gratification and need satisfaction as the primary goal, similar to other addictions (Kuss & Griffiths, 2011). Based on the biopsychosocial theoretical model, it is accepted that PSMU is characterized by the individual’s inability to control one’s use of social media sites, displaying a range of behavioral addiction symptoms (Ba´nyai et al., 2017; Griffiths, 2005). These symptoms include the following:
- mood modification—excessive social media use leading to altered mood states such as pleasurable feelings or numbing effects,
- salience—total preoccupation with social media use
- tolerance—increasing amount of time and energy engaging in and using social media to achieve the same feelings as initial social media to achieve the same feeling as initial stage
- withdrawal symptoms—negative feelings and psychological symptoms such as irritability and anxiety when social media use is restricted,
- conflict—interpersonal problems, including relationships and compromised education or work as a direct result of social media usage,and
- relapse—returning to excessive social media use after a period of abstinence (Ba´nyaietal.,2017).
References:
Buda, G., Lukoševičiūtė, J., Šalčiūnaitė, L., & Šmigelskas, K. (2020). Possible Effects of Social Media Use on Adolescent Health Behaviors and Perceptions. Psychological Reports, 124(3). //doi.org/10.1177/0033294120922481
Posted : November 6, 2025 12:17 pm
Social media has a strong impact on how young people think and act about their health. It can be both helpful and harmful. On the positive side, many pages and influencers promote fitness, healthy eating, and mental health awareness. Campaigns like #MoveForMentalHealth or #NoTobacco have encouraged youth to take care of their health.
However, too much time on social media can also lead to problems like poor sleep, stress, low self-esteem, and comparing oneself to others. Seeing unrealistic body images can make young people feel unhappy about themselves.
I think social media can be used in a better way by promoting real stories, verified health information, and positive habits. If used wisely, it can become a strong tool to improve youth health instead of harming it.
References:
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Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. (2014). Online communication, social media, and adolescent wellbeing. Children and Youth Services Review, 41, 27–36.
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Kelly, Y., et al. (2018). Social media use and adolescent mental health. EClinicalMedicine, 6, 59–68.
Posted : November 10, 2025 3:15 pm
Social media clearly plays a major role in shaping youth health and well-being, and the evidence shows both its benefits and serious risks. As highlighted in the discussion, strengthening digital literacy and creating safer online environments are essential to help young people use these platforms more positively.
Posted : November 18, 2025 12:10 pm
Social media plays a growing role in shaping youth health behaviours, influencing lifestyle choices, body image and self-esteem. When used positively, platforms such as Instagram and TikTok can motivate young people to adopt healthier routines by sharing credible content on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. Research indicates that adolescents who engage with structured, health-focused social media content exhibit a greater interest in healthy eating and physical activity (Rounsefell et al., 2020).
However, social media also exposes youth to appearance-driven content and unrealistic body ideals, which are linked to body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, disrupted sleep and early experimentation with substances (Kelly et al., 2022). To maximise benefits and reduce harm, a key recommendation is to introduce school-based digital literacy programs that teach young people to critically evaluate online content and identify credible health information—helping them navigate social media safely while supporting positive health behaviours.
References:
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Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C., & Sacker, A. (2022). Social media use and adolescent health behaviours: A cross-sectional study. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 6(3), 219–228. //doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00340-1
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Rounsefell, K., Gibson, S., McLean, S., et al. (2020). Social media, body image and food choices in healthy adolescents: A systematic review. Public Health Nutrition, 23(14), 2568–2580. //doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020000083
Posted : November 21, 2025 9:56 am