Social Media Apps Blamed by Many Teens for Mental Health Struggles

Amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on young minds, 1 in 5 teens say it has negatively affected their mental health, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. The research found that many teens believe social media can be harmful to people their age. The findings come as lawmakers and the US Surgeon General warn that social platforms pose a serious threat to young users, particularly as mental health issues continue to rise among teens. The study was conducted over several weeks in fall 2024 among nearly 1,400 young people aged 13 to 17. Nearly half of the teens (48%) surveyed said social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age, up significantly from 32% in 2022. But fewer teens (14%) said it has a negative impact on their own mental health. Teen girls were more likely than boys to report that social media has harmed their mental health (25% vs. 14%), and they were also more likely to say it negatively affects their confidence (20% vs. ... Read full article.