In a recent Pew Research report “Teens, Social Media and Mental Health”, teen participants confirmed that almost half of them think that social media negatively impacts their peers. The report finds out that 48% of the students are unhappy with social media´s effects on their fellow schoolmates and friends. The report does not provide details on the adverse effects seen by other students because of social media.
What’s interesting is that only 12% admit social media negatively affects them personally. The study suggests teens recognize social media’s mental health dangers but believe they aren’t personally affected. The number of youngsters seeing negative impacts has significantly increased since Pew Research’s 2022 study. In the previous study, just 32% of teenagers believed that social media negatively affects their peers.
Is social media to blame for mental health issues among teens?
Social media is not the sole root that causes mental health issues, but it surely plays a major role. Mental health disorders among youth are rising, with many linking them to addictive social media platforms like TikTok. Some call it a national youth mental health crisis, with social media linked as a major threat to teens.
The Pew Research study confirms parents recognize the link between kids’ well-being and time spent on social media. A survey by Gallup published in 2023 stated that US teens spend an average of almost five hours per day on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X. In many cases, parents are unaware of the content their children consume, as not all use parental control features.
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Luckily, the most prominent antivirus solutions like Panda Dome are equipped with parental controls that could help children of all ages be protected while browsing the internet or scrolling through a trendy social media platform. These controls help parents limit harmful exposure and manage privacy and screen time. The more time teens spend online, the higher the risk of encountering bad actors or inappropriate content.
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