Short Wave
The Toll Of Social Media On Mental Health
Aug 5, 2024
Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR science correspondent, dives into the concerning rise of depression and anxiety among teens, linking it to the explosion of social media. She uncovers alarming statistics showing a shift from 50% to 95% of teens regularly using social media over just over a decade. Doucleff highlights the increasing loneliness felt by Generation Z and discusses how platforms like Facebook have influenced mental health trends. The conversation wraps up with a compelling call for reflection on personal social media use for better well-being.
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Quick takeaways
- Increased social media usage among teens, from 50% in 2009 to 95% in 2022, correlates with rising mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
- The decline in face-to-face interactions and sleep among teenagers is linked to excessive social media use, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and distress.
Deep dives
The Rise of Mental Health Issues Among Teens
Recent studies indicate a significant increase in mental health issues among teenagers, particularly starting around 2011. Researchers, including psychologist Jean Twenge, have noted alarming trends in rising rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness coinciding with the increased use of smartphones and social media. For instance, the percentage of high school students getting less than seven hours of sleep per night surged from roughly a third to nearly half between 2010 and 2021, severely impacting their physical and mental well-being. With sleep recommended at nine hours for this age group, the decrease in adequate rest is a critical factor contributing to the deterioration of youth mental health.
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