The Role of Social Media in Adolescent Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review

social media in kid meantal health

Abstract

Social media has become a prominent part of adolescent experiences, with more than 90% of individuals ages 13-18 utilizing social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat daily (Pew Research Center, 2023). This review uses literature from 2018 - 2025 to explore the role of social media in adolescent mental health whereby anxiety, depression and self-esteem are the primary focus for high-income countries. Studies reveal both beneficial (e.g., social connection, self-expression) and detrimental (e.g., cyberbullying, social comparison) impacts of social media on adolescent mental health, broadly dependent upon dose of use, platform type and the demographics of the individual using social media. The primary findings suggest that moderate social media use (1-2 hours daily) is associated with more benefits, whereas excessive use (>3 hours daily) is linked with increased risk to mental health. There are still gaps in this review with respect to: renewed longitudinal data examining newer platforms (e.g., TikTok); a lack of leverage in considering marginalized groups in exploring adolescent mental health; and a need to standardize metrics for mental health outcomes. Future research could examine AI-directed content moderation, platform prefixes of problematic situations, and individual categorizations. The implications of this review indicates the need for balanced social media policies that support the well-being of youth and adolescents.