The impact of social media on young people’s mental health and well-being is a growing topic of concern among parents, educators, health care professionals and regulators. And now, nearly half of US teens say social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age — and almost the same proportion say they’re cutting back on social media use. That’s according to a Pew Research Center report published Tuesday that asked American teens and parents about their attitudes around social media and smartphones. It offers an updated glimpse into how teens view their own social media use, following a separate Pew study from December that found nearly half of US teens say they’re online almost constantly. The report comes as parents and regulators have called on social media companies to do more to keep young people safe — and prevent them from spending too much time — on their platforms. Last year, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy asked Congress to require a label on social media apps warning of risks to young people, similar to those on alcohol and tobacco. Australia also passed a world-first law banning teens under 16 from social media. And in March, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a landmark bill requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and share that data with app developers, in a bid to protect teens from accessing age-inappropriate content online. To conduct the study, Pew surveyed 1,391 US teens ages 13 to 17 and their parents during September and October of last year. Of the teen respondents, 48% said they think social media has a “mostly negative” effect on people their age, up from 32% when Pew asked the same questions in a different survey in 2022. Just 11% of teens today say they think social media is “mostly positive” for their peers. But just 14% of teens say social media has a mostly negative impact on themselves, although that figure has jumped from 9% in 2022. Still, teens are seemingly trying to rein in their own social media use; 45% say they spend too much time on social media, up from 36% in 2022. And 44% of teen respondents said they have cut back on time spent on social media and their smartphones. “The overuse of social media in our society seems to be the main cause of depression among those in my age group,” a teen boy quoted in the report wrote. “People seem to let themselves be affected by the opinions of people they don’t know, and it wreaks havoc upon people’s states of mind.” .The report suggests that the effects of social media vary somewhat by gender and race and ethnicity. Teen girls, for example, are slightly more likely than teen boys to say social media has hurt the amount of sleep they get, their productivity, their mental health and their confidence. Those findings are consistent with research from 2019 that has suggested the link between social media and depression may be stronger in teen girls than boys, and that social media may harm girls’ mental health by increasing their exposure to bullying and decreasing activities that have a positive impact on wellbeing, such as sleep. In 2021, internal documents from social media giant Meta, made public after a whistleblower disclosure, showed that the company’s research found that Instagram makes “body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.” Meta has since introduced new policies and practices aimed at improving teen safety, including updated AI tools announced Monday designed to catch teens lying about their age on the app. Girls (48%) are more likely to say they’ve cut back on social media use than boys (40%), according to Tuesday’s report. General mental wellbeing among teens is a broader concern; 89% of parents and 77% of teens reported being either “somewhat” or “extremely” worried about the issue. But parents are still more anxious about how social media is impacting their children than the teens themselves, the report suggests. Social media (44%) and technology generally (14%) ranked highest as the one thing parents believed negatively impacted teens’ mental health, whereas only 22% and 8% of teens, respectively, said the same. “Technology, which is making them more afraid to try things, makes them less creative and makes them less likely to figure out how to solve their own problems, whether relationally or physically,” a mother of a teen said in the survey. However, it’s not all bad. Nearly six in 10 teens said social media gives them “a place to show their creative side,” and even more said it helps them stay connected to what’s happening in their friends’ lives.
Nearly half of teens say social media is bad for youth mental health, report finds
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Pew Research Center Report Reveals Teen Concerns Over Social Media's Impact on Mental Health"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
A recent report from the Pew Research Center highlights growing concerns regarding the impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers in the United States. According to the study, nearly half of U.S. teens—48%—believe that social media has a predominantly negative effect on their peers, a significant increase from 32% in a similar survey conducted in 2022. Additionally, 45% of teens feel they spend too much time on these platforms, leading to a notable 44% reporting that they have actively reduced their social media usage. Interestingly, while 14% of teens believe that social media negatively affects their personal lives, this figure has also risen from 9% in the previous year. This shift in perspective comes amid increasing calls from parents and health professionals for social media companies to implement stricter measures to protect young users from the potential harms of excessive online engagement. The report sheds light on various legislative efforts, including a law in Australia that prohibits social media access for those under 16 and recent actions taken by Utah to impose age verification for app users, aimed at safeguarding teenagers from inappropriate content online.
The findings further reveal notable differences in the experiences of teens based on gender and ethnicity. For instance, teen girls are more likely than their male counterparts to report that social media negatively impacts their sleep, productivity, mental health, and overall confidence. This aligns with earlier studies suggesting that social media's detrimental effects on mental health may be more pronounced among girls, particularly due to increased exposure to bullying and decreased engagement in positive activities. While the majority of parents express significant concern over the mental well-being of their children—89% of parents are worried—teens themselves exhibit a more nuanced view. Only 22% of teens identify social media as a negative influence on their mental health, reflecting a disparity between parental and adolescent perceptions. Despite the challenges, many teens also acknowledge the positive aspects of social media, with nearly 60% stating it provides a platform for creative expression and helps them stay connected with friends. Overall, the report underscores the complexity of social media's role in the lives of teenagers today, prompting ongoing discussions about how to balance its benefits with the potential risks to mental health.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the increasing concerns regarding the impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers. With nearly half of U.S. teens expressing the belief that social media has a predominantly negative effect on their peers, it highlights a significant shift in perceptions among young users. This growing apprehension is not only reflected in the teens' attitudes but also in legislative actions aimed at regulating social media usage among younger demographics.
Public Perception and Legislative Response
As reported, the findings from the Pew Research Center indicate that 48% of teenagers believe social media negatively impacts their age group, a notable increase from previous surveys. This perception aligns with recent legislative efforts, such as the call for warning labels on social media apps akin to those for alcohol and tobacco and laws in places like Australia and Utah aimed at protecting minors. These actions suggest a collective awareness of the risks associated with social media and a push from parents, educators, and health professionals for greater accountability from social media companies.
Teenage Self-Reflection and Usage Trends
Interestingly, while many teens recognize the negative effects of social media on their peers, they report a less critical view of its impact on themselves. Only 14% of teens believe social media has a mostly negative impact on their own mental health, though this figure has risen since last year. The fact that 45% of teens are actively reducing their social media usage indicates a growing awareness of its potential harms, highlighting a trend toward self-regulation among youth.
Broader Social Implications
This report may serve to amplify calls for stricter regulations on social media platforms, emphasizing the need for protective measures for younger users. The societal implications could extend to changes in how technology companies operate, potentially influencing their policies and practices regarding user engagement and content moderation.
Target Audience and Support Base
The article appears to resonate strongly with parents, educators, and mental health advocates who are increasingly concerned about the implications of social media on youth. It aligns with a broader movement that seeks to prioritize the mental health and safety of young people in digital spaces.
Market and Economic Implications
While the article does not directly address market implications, the growing scrutiny of social media companies could lead to changes in stock performance for major platforms like Meta (Facebook) and Snap, particularly if regulatory actions intensify. Investors may need to consider the potential for increased oversight and its effects on user engagement and advertising revenues.
Global Context and Relevance
The issue at hand is part of a larger global conversation regarding technology and youth. As social media continues to shape social interactions and mental health outcomes, the insights from this report are relevant in discussions about digital well-being across various countries.
Possible AI Involvement
It is plausible that AI tools were utilized in the data collection or analysis phases of the Pew Research Center's study. However, the language and framing in the article do not overtly suggest manipulation but rather present findings based on survey data.
While the article raises important points regarding mental health and social media, it remains crucial to approach the issue with a balanced perspective, considering both the benefits and drawbacks of social media usage among young people.