The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health

The podcast episode explores the alarming rise in mental health issues among teenagers, specifically linked to their use of social media. Studies show that the rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide have been increasing in children born after 1995, coinciding with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and the advent of smartphones. Girls seem to be particularly affected, with a significant increase in suicide rates after 2012. While the correlation between screen time and mental health is more mixed, specifically analyzing social media usage shows larger correlations for girls. The podcast highlights the urgent need for action to address this issue, raising the age for social media access, restricting smartphone use for younger children, and emphasizing the role of collective action in addressing these challenges.