Science Weekly
Teen mental health and social media: what does the evidence tell us?
Sep 12, 2023
Ian Sample talks to Dr Amy Orben, who leads the digital mental health programme at the Medical Research Council’s cognition and brain sciences unit, about the challenges of studying the impact of social media on teen mental health. They discuss the need for high-quality data, personalized recommendations, and parental involvement. They also explore the potential redesign of social media apps and provide advice for parents on managing their children's smartphone use.
19:09
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Quick takeaways
- The impact of phones and social media on teen mental health is individualized, with different experiences for different individuals.
- Researchers face challenges in studying the impact of social media use on mental health due to limited access to data collected by social media platforms.
Deep dives
The Impact of Phones and Social Media on Teen Mental Health
Phones and social media apps have become a significant part of young people's lives, but concerns about bullying and declining mental health have emerged. While there is mixed evidence regarding the relationship between social media use and mental health, studies have found a negative correlation between social media use and well-being. However, the impact of phones and social media on mental health is heavily individualized, with different experiences for different individuals. Research is focusing on understanding who benefits and who is most at risk. Moving forward, it is important to move beyond the concept of screen time and consider how screens are being used and what content young people are exposed to.
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