Some young people report benefits of using social media, such as feeling connected. However, it can also come with risks, including negative effects on mental health.
Social media plays a huge role in the lives of young people today.
Approximately 95% of young people aged 13 to 17 use at least one social media platform. More than 1 in 3 of them reported using social media almost all the time.
The most common social media platforms used by these young people are TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
This article explains the benefits and risks of using social media. We also provide tips on how to manage risk and find balance.
There are many potential benefits of social media use among young people. One of the main benefits is that it provides positive connections and community with other people who share your abilities, identity, and interests.
Teens report that using social media allows them to have a support network and deeper connections when they need it. They also mentioned the following benefits of using social media.
- 71% say they are given a platform to express their creative side
- 67% say they feel like they have someone to support them during difficult times
- 8 in 10 teens say social media makes them feel more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives
Social media also provides access to the important information you are looking for.
We know that social media can provide particularly important support for youth who are often marginalized, including racial, ethnic, sexual, and sexual minorities. Research also suggests that social media use may help deliver digital-based mental health interventions that promote help-seeking behavior and initiate mental health care.
Evidence shows a variety of reasons to be concerned about social media use by young people. Using social media can potentially have negative effects.
One
Other potential risks of using social media include:
- Exposure to inappropriate or harmful content such as sex, violence, drugs, etc.
- Contact with dangerous people
- cyber bullying
- Oversharing personal information
- exposed to excessive advertising
- Privacy issues involving data collection of teens
- Have been hacked or had your identity stolen
- Reasoning by activity, school, and sleep
Social media has also been linked to poor body image, lower self-esteem, and increased symptoms of depression, especially among young women.
Parents and caregivers said they were particularly concerned about social media use and the following issues:
- 53% expressed concerns about anxiety and depression
- 54% expressed concern about low self-esteem
- 54% express concerns about bullying or harassment by others
- 59% express concern about being pressured to take certain actions
- 74% express concern about being exposed to inappropriate content
While there is much work to be done by policymakers and technology companies to manage the risks of young people’s social media use, there are also steps parents and caregivers can take.
Here are ways parents and carers can help reduce risk and maintain balance when young people use social media.
- Create a family media plan: Agreeing on expectations will help establish healthy technology boundaries in your home.
- Create technology-free zones and encourage face-to-face relationships: This includes limiting screen use, such as phones and tablets, for an hour before bed and avoiding devices during times like family meals.
- Modeling responsible social media behavior: This includes parents and caregivers limiting their own social media use and being mindful of their online habits.
- Teach young people early responsibility online: Talk to young people about the benefits and risks of social media and encourage them to respect their privacy and protect their personal information in age-appropriate ways.
Young people can also help themselves to reduce the risks of social media use.
- Ask for help: If you or someone you know is being negatively affected by social media, you should talk to a trusted adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health can also provide guidance.
- Create guidelines for balance. Keep your online and offline activities balanced by setting limits before bed and during in-person activities.
- Be careful what you share. Choose carefully what you post and who you share it with.
- Protect others and yourself: If young people witness harassment or cyberbullying, they should tell a trusted adult. You can also visit stopcyberbullying.gov for more information on how to report incidents of cyberbullying.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding teens and social media.
What percentage of people under 18 use social media?
Approximately 95% of young people aged 13 to 17 use at least one social media platform.
How many teens are using TikTok?
Approximately 67% of teens report using TikTok. Of those, 16% said they use it almost all the time.
There are both benefits and risks for young people using social media. Its benefits include a sense of support, self-expression, and creativity.
Risks of social media use include increased rates of anxiety and depression, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Parents and caregivers can work with their teens to manage the risks of social media use and find a balance between their online and in-person lives.