In 2023, then United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released an advisory called Social Media and Youth Mental Health. In it he said there is growing evidence that social media is causing harm to young people’s mental health [1]. The American Psychological Association followed not long after with its own statement on this topic, reinforcing the urgency to address this issue.
Why Parents Should Be Concerned
Nearly half of U.S. teens now believe social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age, and a similar proportion are actively reducing their usage, according to a Pew Research Center report [2]. And parents consistently rank social media and technology as the leading negative influences on teen mental health.
The risks are particularly pronounced for girls, who are more vulnerable to issues like cyberbullying and body image concerns. For example, teen girls and young women tend to follow social media content that idolizes thin bodies, edited selfies, and unrealistic beauty standards. Young men may follow harmful content that promotes aggression in war games, and violence against women or minority groups.
Why Social Media’s Impact on Young Adults Can’t Be Ignored
In his 2024 best-selling book, Jonathan Haidt claimed that the appearance of smartphones and social media in the early 2010s coincided with a sharp increase in rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among adolescents and young adults. He analyzed how constant attention is fragmented by continuous connectivity and sleep is disrupted, fostering a pandemic of loneliness and mental health conditions, especially anxiety and depression [3].
The Negative Effects of Social Media on Young Adults’ Mental Health
Social media has become a central part of young adults’ lives. However a growing body of evidence shows it can have important negative effects on their mental health:
Increased Anxiety and Depression
- Feelings of anxiety and depression are connected to social media use, especially in teens and young adults. Driven by dopamine rewards from likes, comments, and infinite scrolling, the addictive nature of these platforms’ reinforcing loops can make users dependent on external validation. As a result there can be severe impacts on self-worth and mood. [4].
Sleep Disruption
- Excessive late night screen time can disrupt sleep patterns. This can have a negative effect on participating in healthy activities such as exercise and face-to-face meetings.
Body Image Issues
- Some apps, such as Instagram and Snapchat, emphasize appearance by encouraging the use of filters and photo editing. Body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and disordered eating behaviors can result from constant exposure to idealized and altered images. Meta (Instagram’s parent company) revealed internal research showing worsened body image issues were experienced by one in three teenage girls using the app [4].
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
- FOMO is deliberately promoted by social media apps. The compulsion to constantly check feeds and compare with others’ often idealized lives, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.
Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying is amplified by social media. This enables the rapid spread of hurtful rumors, images, and abuse, often with lasting emotional and psychological scars. Almost half of U.S. internet users have been cyberbullied [5].
Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm
- Poorer mental health, suicidal intent, or self-harm are consequences for some young people’s social media use. Suicidal intent or self-harm was reported in one study by 10% of those with the highest social media use [6].
The Role of Parental Support
The risk of poor mental health outcomes can be reduced with strong parental relationships and active monitoring of social media depending on the age of your young adult. Those with supportive parents are less likely to experience negative side effects, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm [6].
Red Flags Every Parent Should Know
It’s helpful for parents to recognize signs of unhealthy social media use. Ask yourself if your young adult shows these behavioral warning signs:
Excessive Screen Time & Obsession
- Scrolls social media for hours daily, especially late at night.
- Avoids responsibilities due to social media obsession.
- Responds irritably if not able to frequently check social media.
Psychological Changes
- Moods swing while viewing likes, comments, or shares.
- Expresses anxiety or depressed mood after scrolling social media.
- Negatively impacted self-esteem from constantly comparing oneself with others.
Social Withdrawal & Isolation
- Lets real-life friendships lapse and prefers online interactions.
- Avoids family meals, gatherings, or hobbies once enjoyed.
- Shows secretive behavior such as using anonymous accounts.
Sleep Disruption & Physical Health Decline
- Exhausted due to late night scrolling.
- Complaints of headaches, eye strain, or poor posture from prolonged use.
- Skips meals or neglects hygiene due to obsession with social media .
Risky or Attention-Seeking Behavior
- Seeks validation by posting provocative or dangerous content.
- Participates in cyberbullying or being a frequent target.
- Shares personal details with strangers.
Decline in Academic or Work Performance
- Misses deadlines, loses focus in class, or has declining grades.
- Procrastinates due to obsession with social media.
Look for professional guidance if you notice several of these red flags. Early intervention can help prevent longer-term impacts on the mental health of your young adult.
8 Tips for Parents: Protecting Your Young Adult’s Mental Health
Here are 8 tips that can guide you to help your young adult manage social media in a healthier way.
1. Model Healthy Behavior
- During family time don’t use screens.
- Prioritize offline activities.
- Enjoy screen-free days for family activities.
2. Open Communication
- Ask your young adult open-ended questions about their social media experiences.
- Make it emotionally safe for them to share concerns or negative experiences without judgment.
3. Create Collaborative Digital Boundaries
- Involve your young adult in discussions about boundaries, such as completing homework or chores before social media access.
- Discuss choices of what is appropriate to share online.
4. Promote Digital Literacy
- Discuss privacy settings and how to recognize scams, bias, and manipulation.
- Review how to handle cyberbullying, including blocking users and reporting harmful content.
5. Model Structured Limits
- Demonstrate self-regulation with daily time limits.
- As a family, agree to not use devices 1 hour before bed.
6. Develop Critical Thinking
- Talk about the accuracy of what is presented online.
- Discuss to what extent social media reflects idealized views of reality.
7. Encourage Offline Activities and Relationships
- Motivate offline hobbies, sports, and face-to-face social interactions.
- Model healthy technology habits by prioritizing family activities.
8. Recognize Warning Signs
- Mood changes, sleep disturbances, or withdrawal, irritability, and declining academic performance may signal mental health struggles.
- Seek professional help promptly if you notice signs of anxiety, depression, or self-harm.
Take the Next Step with Engage
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Sources
[1] U.S. Surgeon General. 2023. Social Media and Youth Mental Health. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory.
[2] Duffy, C. 2025. Nearly half of teens say social media is bad for youth mental health, report finds. CNN.com
[3] Haidt, J. 2024. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. New York: Penguin Press.
[4] UCDavis Health. 2024. Social media’s impact on our mental health and tips to use it safely.
[5] Vigderman, A. 2024. Cyberbullying: Twenty Crucial Statistics for 2024. Security.org
[6] DeAngelis, T. 2024. Teens are spending nearly 5 hours daily on social media. Here are the mental health outcomes. American Psychological Association.