How Do We Deal With Problematic Social Media Use in Youth?

Co-authored by Bonnie Yam, MD, and Eunice Y. Yuen, MD, Ph.D.

Concerns about the impact of social media on adolescent mental health have increased globally. In December 2025, Australia banned social media use for children under 16. Other countries, such as Brazil, France, China, and Malaysia, have passed laws on age restrictions on social media use. Key concerns include the potential compulsive nature of its use, associations with depression and anxiety, and risks of sexual exploitation.

In contrast, the United States currently has no national age restriction for social media use. Opponents of restrictions argue that such laws may limit free expression or push adolescents into less-regulated, more dangerous parts of the internet. However, in a recent landmark case, Meta and YouTube were found negligent in a lawsuit involving social media addiction. The plaintiff, a young woman who used social media for many years, alleged that these companies designed products to be as addictive as cigarettes or casinos, and that their platform led to the development of depression and anxiety. Meta, in contrast, argued that her mental health difficulties were attributed to her home environment and other offline stressors.

Internet use has become an integral part of everyday life, and it is likely to become increasingly incorporated into our lives over time. On average, youth ages 8-18 spend 7.5 hours a day using screens. A 2023 survey found that 57 percent of Gen Zs hope to become social media influencers when they grow up. Although the recent Meta/YouTube lawsuit in the news may spark fear of social media as a whole, it is unrealistic to expect youth to completely abstain from it. Both mental health professionals and parents may wonder what this may mean for our youth today. Is all social media bad for mental health? And as caregivers or mental health providers of children or adolescents, how should we approach social media use with our youth?

Current research suggests that social media use can affect mental health both positively and negatively. One study from 2024 indicates that there is an association between social media use and depression and anxiety when social media use is excessive. Other studies have shown that social media can enhance feelings of connectedness and improve mental health by fostering social development in late adolescence. In other words, the amount, purpose, and type of social media use appear to matter more than use alone.

Signs of problematic social media use:

There is currently no DSM-5 diagnosis for “social media addiction.” Internet Gaming Disorder is listed as a condition for further study, but problematic internet or social media use may still be clinically relevant. Warning signs adapted from Young’s Internet Addiction Test include:

• Spending more time online than intended, or being unable to cut back.
• Neglecting schoolwork, chores, sleep, or in-person relationships because of internet use.
• Using the internet to avoid unpleasant thoughts or feelings.
• Becoming defensive, secretive, or distressed when asked about their online activity.
• Feeling that life would be empty, depressing, or joyless without the internet.

If a young person shows these warning signs, or if internet use is severely interfering with daily life, it may be helpful to discuss these concerns with a mental health professional.

Strategies for parents and mental health professionals:

Encourage safe internet use: There have been concerns of cyberbullying, sexploitation, and trafficking associated with social media use.

• For young children under the age of 2, screen time should be limited to things like watching educational programs.
• When a youth is first given access to a personal device, consider parental control apps to monitor online activity, set time limits, and scan for things like bullying and trafficking.
• For mature youth on social media, have open conversations about the dangers of being online. Discuss topics like cyberbullying, grooming/sextortion, and what is or isn’t appropriate to share online.

Encourage healthy forms of social media use: Have conversations about how social media can help one feel connected to others, as well as the dangers of seeing unrealistic portrayals of life online.

• Youth develop healthy habits by observing role models, so it is helpful for caregivers to talk about their own healthy internet habits.
• Encourage active use of social media for self-expression, connecting with like-minded individuals, or for social support.
• Discourage passive forms of use, such as scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, which may lead to unrealistic expectations of themselves and unhealthy comparison.

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Encourage youth to engage in fulfilling real-life activities: Social media use can be viewed to enhance one’s life rather than taking over.

Consider other aspects of wellness and actively discuss and participate with youth about how each aspect can be enriched.

• Physical: cooking healthy meals, exercise, sports.
• Emotional: mindfulness, journaling, or keeping a daily routine.
• Social: time with friends and family, movies and game night together.
• Intellectual: visiting libraries, museums, having healthy debates.
• Spiritual: discussions about values, gratitude journaling, or spiritual/religious communities.
• Environmental: creating a calm corner in the home, composting or recycling as a family.
• Occupational: volunteering, helping with chores.
• Financial: budgeting allowance, or engaging in their first part-time job.

Conclusion

Social media has negative impacts on the mental health of youth, leading to age restriction laws in multiple countries. In the United States, lawsuits have found large social media companies to be liable for emotional damages. Healthy boundaries with social media and encouraging off-screen activities can help ensure that internet use remains an enriching tool.

Bonnie Yam, MD, is a forensic psychiatry fellow at Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She also completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Yale Child Study Center, and she completed a general psychiatry residency at Case Western Reserve University – MetroHealth Medical Center.