Study Finds Social Media Isn’t Entirely Harmful To Teen Mental Health

It’s well-established that social media can negatively affect teens—Meta’s own research revealed that Instagram worsens body image for one in three teen girls, and Snapchat has faced multiple lawsuits for failing to address cyberbullying. Even a former U.S. Surgeon General has warned about the risks of social media use among youth. However, a new report highlights that social media isn’t all bad—it can also offer benefits.

Social Media as a Tool for Connection and Creativity Among U.S. Teens

A study by the Pew Research Center found that 74% of U.S. teens feel social media helps them stay connected with friends, and 63% say it provides a space to express their creativity.

As the U.S. government works to pass laws aimed at reshaping teens’ online experiences, this data highlights that some teenagers view social media as a positive force in their lives.

One potential reason for this could be that teens feel more comfortable expressing themselves on social media than they do at school or at home.

Supportive Online Spaces Boost Mental Health for LGBTQ Youth of Color

A study by the Trevor Project revealed that 53% of young LGBTQ people of color felt safe and understood on TikTok, with Discord (43%) and Instagram (41%) following close behind. These supportive online spaces are linked to better mental health, as those who felt safe online were 20% less likely to have attempted suicide in the past year.

In a separate study by Pew, 34% of teens said they occasionally turn to social media for mental health information, and 63% consider it an important resource for finding such support.

Social Media Fills a Gap as Teens Hesitate to Discuss Mental Health with Parents

While these numbers don’t reveal whether the mental health information teens find on social media is accurate or beneficial, they are still valuable—especially considering that only 52% of teens say they feel very or extremely comfortable discussing their mental health with their parents, according to Pew.

That said, social media isn’t without its downsides, and Pew’s research acknowledges those as well. Interestingly, teens tend to view social media as more harmful to others than to themselves: 48% believe it negatively affects people their age, but just 14% think it has a negative impact on their own lives.

However, self-reported data doesn’t always capture the full picture. While teens often say social media benefits their friendships more than it harms them, it also takes a toll—45% report that it negatively affects their sleep, and 40% say it impacts their productivity.

Read the original article on: TechCrunch

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