Mental health problems among teenagers have been on the rise for more than a decade, and some experts are wondering how much of it is due to social media use. If you’re a parent wondering if and how you should monitor your teen’s social media usage, you’re not alone.
In spring 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, released an advisory titled “Social Media and Youth Mental Health,” which found that social media is harming the mental health of youth. He said there is growing evidence that this is the case. Shortly after, the American Psychological Association (APA) released its own health recommendations.
However, the issue is complex. Although there are signs that it can cause serious harm to teens (more on that below), using social media for the purpose of building healthy connections with others may actually be dangerous. may be beneficial to some people. Dr Murthy’s report shows that more research is needed to fully understand the impact of social media. For parents, this means there are no easy answers.
“The problems we face today with social media are similar to the problems we faced when television arrived,” says Dr. Linda Mays, director of the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC). She explains that, like television viewing, social media has its pros and cons for young people. “So how can we help parents filter out potentially harmful parts?”
Below, Dr. Mays and child psychiatrist Dr. Yang Pongshin, YCSC, offer advice for parents looking to help their teens use social media in a positive way.
First, some background.