Link between Social Media Use & MH Issues Among Teens

Researchers from University College London published a longitudinal study in JAMA Network Open in May 2025 that explored how social media use relates to depressive symptoms in early adolescence. The study followed nearly 14,000 youth in the U.K. from ages 11 to 14 and found that more frequent social media use was linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms, especially for girls. These findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about how digital environments can influence youth mental health and raise important considerations for behavioral health providers, educators, and policymakers.

The study used data from the Millennium Cohort Study and included both self-reported social media use and assessments of depressive symptoms over time. At age 11, most youth reported relatively low use of social media, but by age 14, usage had increased significantly, particularly among girls. For girls, heavy social media use at age 11 was associated with increased depressive symptoms by age 14, even after accounting for other factors like prior mental health, family environment, and screen time overall. The pattern was less clear for boys, with weaker and more inconsistent associations.

Researchers suggest that social media may contribute to mental health struggles in early adolescence by increasing exposure to cyberbullying, reinforcing negative body image, or replacing in-person social support with more isolating digital interactions. The gender differences found in the study may reflect the ways girls engage with and are affected by social platforms, particularly in highly appearance-focused or emotionally intense online spaces.

For behavioral health policy and practice, the findings point to a need for early, gender-sensitive prevention strategies. Schools, providers, and families should be equipped with tools to support healthy social media use and monitor digital well-being starting in preteen years. Policymakers might also consider how regulations or guidance around youth social media use could be part of broader strategies to support adolescent mental health.