Social media and young people’s mental health

Social media can help young people connect with others who share similar interests, experiences, identities or circumstances, which may reduce feelings of isolation and strengthen a sense of belonging. This can be particularly valuable for young people who may struggle to find support in their offline environment. For example, young people from LGBTQIA+ communities, young people living with neurodivergence, disabilities or long-term health conditions, and young people from different ethnic, cultural or faith backgrounds may use online spaces to connect with others, share experiences and find supportive communities.

Some young people also develop one-sided connections with creators or influencers, sometimes known as parasocial relationships. These relationships can provide inspiration, comfort and a sense of connection. However, they may become less helpful if they encourage unrealistic comparisons, create unhealthy expectations or begin to replace meaningful relationships and support in everyday life.

There is no single amount of time that is considered “too much” social media use for every young person. Research increasingly suggests that the impact depends on how social media is used, what someone sees online, and how it affects their wellbeing, rather than time alone.

Social media may become a concern if it affects sleep, relationships, study, hobbies, confidence or mood. Signs that it may be having a negative impact include feeling unable to stop checking apps, feeling worse after scrolling, comparing yourself with others, or feeling anxious when away from your phone.

Many young people describe finding it difficult to stop using social media or to spend less time on platforms than intended. However, researchers lean away from the clinical term of “addiction” and refer instead to “problematic” or “compulsive” social media use. This is when someone may struggle to control their use or find that it begins to affect their wellbeing, relationships, sleep or daily activities.

One reason social media can feel difficult to stop using is the way social media platforms are designed. Social media algorithms personalise content based on interactions such as viewing, liking and searching, helping young people discover information, communities and content that matches their interests. At the same time, personalised recommendations, notifications and endless scrolling can encourage continued engagement.

Likes, new content and social interactions can activate the brain’s reward system, involving chemicals such as dopamine that are linked to motivation and reward. This may contribute to repeated checking behaviours and encourage users to return to platforms more frequently. Social pressures and fear of missing out (FOMO) can also make it harder to reduce or stop scrolling, even when someone intends to.

Personalised feeds can also lead to repeated exposure to similar themes, such as appearance, lifestyle, health or relationships. This can create “filter bubbles” or “echo chambers”, where certain types of content appear more frequently while alternative perspectives are seen less often.

Developing digital awareness, such as reviewing followed accounts, questioning why content appears in a feed and using platform controls, can help support a healthier relationship with social media.

Social media may contribute to anxiety for some young people, although anxiety is rarely caused by a single factor. Research suggests that social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), cyberbullying, pressure to maintain an online presence, and disrupted sleep can all increase feelings of stress and worry.

Seeing idealised versions of other people’s lives may lead some young people to compare themselves negatively, while constant notifications and online expectations can create pressure to stay connected. However, social media affects people differently, and factors such as self-esteem, existing mental health challenges and support networks can influence its impact.

Social media can influence how young people see themselves, particularly through exposure to edited images, filters, influencers and idealised versions of other people’s lives. Comparing themselves with unrealistic standards around appearance, popularity or success may affect confidence and body image.

Research suggests that appearance-focused content and social comparison can be linked with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem for some young people, particularly during adolescence when identity and self-image are still developing. (Fioravanti et al., 2022; Revranche et al., 2022).

However, social media can also provide connection, support and positive communities. Being aware that online content is often carefully selected or edited, curating your feed, and following accounts that support wellbeing can help create a healthier relationship with social media.

Social media is changing the way many young people consume information. Short-form videos, rapid updates, and constantly changing feeds are designed to capture attention quickly, which may encourage faster switching between content and a preference for immediate information.

Adolescence is an important period for cognitive development, including attention, decision-making and impulse control. These executive functions are still developing during adolescence and may be influenced by frequent digital interruptions and notifications.

Research doesn’t currently indicate that social media permanently damages attention, but studies have raised concerns that heavy use of fast-paced digital content may affect attention spans, including difficulty maintaining focus and reduced tolerance for slower, longer-form content. (Wilmer, Sherman & Chein, 2017).

However, the relationship is complex. Problematic social media use has been linked with difficulties in attention regulation and self-control, but young people who already struggle with concentration may also be more likely to use digital platforms heavily (Liu et al., 2022).

For some neurodivergent young people, social media can provide valuable opportunities for connection, creativity, shared interests and finding communities where they feel understood.

However, some may experience challenges such as:

• Sensory overload from fast-moving content, sounds or notifications
• Difficulty managing messages, online expectations or constant updates
• Misunderstandings in online communication
• Feeling overwhelmed by large amounts of information
• Exposure to distressing or harmful content

The impact of social media is individual and can depend on the young person, the platform, the content they see and the support available.

AI-generated images, videos and other content are becoming increasingly common on social media. While AI can support creativity and learning, it can also make it harder to identify what is real online.

Researchers have raised concerns that AI-generated content could contribute to unrealistic expectations, misinformation, online bullying and pressure to compare ourselves with idealised images. Developing digital literacy and critical thinking skills can help young people navigate online spaces and understand the content they encounter.

Social media can influence how young people think and feel about money, success and lifestyle. Many platforms personalise content and advertising, meaning young people may be repeatedly exposed to promotions for products, lifestyle trends, financial influencers (“finfluencers”) and buy-now-pay-later services.

For some young people, this can create pressure to spend money, keep up with trends or compare their lifestyle with others. Seeing carefully curated images of wealth and success may contribute to feelings of inadequacy, stress or anxiety, particularly if they feel unable to meet these perceived expectations.

Researchers and regulators have also raised concerns about exposure to misleading financial advice and targeted advertising, particularly where content is personalised based on a young person’s interests or online behaviour. While social media can provide useful financial information, it is important to think critically about online advice and recognise that social media often presents a carefully selected version of reality rather than the full picture.

Discover how our Me & Money Young People’s Programme helps young people build confidence around money and wellbeing.

This page is informed by evidence and guidance from leading organisations, research reviews and expert sources, including:

• World Health Organization (WHO): Adolescents, digital environments and mental health
• Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): Status of Mind report
• Mental Health Foundation: Healthy social media and wellbeing report
• Ofcom: Children and parents’ media use and attitudes reports
• Children’s Commissioner for England: Digital childhood reports
• Peer-reviewed research on social media and adolescent mental health
• Review evidence on adolescent mental health in the digital age
• Mind: Online mental health guidance
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: Youth social media and mental health
• Action for Children: Social media and mental health insights

This page has been developed by Mental Health UK, a national mental health charity providing information, resources, programmes and support to help people across the UK understand and manage their mental health.

Our work with young people includes delivering evidence-informed mental health and resilience-building programmes in schools and communities. Through workshops, staff training, co-delivery and practical resources, we help young people build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to understand and manage their mental health.

The information on this page draws on evidence from peer-reviewed research, national guidance and trusted organisations including the World Health Organization and Ofcom. Our content is also informed by our experience supporting people, families and communities affected by mental health challenges.