Mental health problems among adolescents have been increasing for more than a decade, and some experts question how much social media use is to blame. If you’re a parent wondering if, and how, you should monitor how your teen uses social media, you’re not alone.
In the spring of 2023, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, issued an advisory titled Social media and youth mental health, in which he argues that there is growing evidence that social media is harming young people’s mental health. Shortly thereafter, the American Psychological Association (APA) published its own health notice.
The question is complicated, however. While there are indicators that this may pose a significant risk of harm to adolescents (more on this below), social media use aimed at establishing healthy connections with others may actually be beneficial for some people. Dr Murthy’s report says further 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 those we faced when television came along,” says Linda Mayes, MD, president of the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC). She explains that, like television, social media has advantages and disadvantages for young people. “So how can we help parents filter out things that may be harmful? »
Below, Dr. Mayes and the YCSC Yann Poncin, MDchild psychiatrist, offers advice to parents trying to help their teenagers use social media in a positive way.
But first, some context.
