Social media is a major part of daily life for many young people, but a clinical psychologist says its relationship with mental health is more complicated than cause-and-effect.
Dr. Will Henson said people who are already struggling with anxiety or depression may turn to social media more often, which can create a difficult cycle.
“One of the questions could be, is social media the cause of the problem, or a symptom,” Henson said. “People can overconsume media when they’re depressed, when they’re anxious — and it is sort of a vicious circle.”
Expert urges screen boundaries to boost teens’ sleep and real-life connections (Sophia Takla/SBG)
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A 2023 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey found 77% of U.S. high school students used social media at least several times per day.
The CDC study found frequent social media use was associated with higher levels of bullying victimization, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and some suicide-risk indicators, however the findings do not prove social media caused those experiences.
Henson said positive content online can be useful, but it cannot replace in-person support.
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“There’s plenty of content out there that’s positive,” he said. “But really what people need is human affiliation and interaction. They need to go out and do things with other people.”
For parents, Henson recommends setting practical boundaries around when and where screens are used. That can include keeping phones out of bedrooms at night, avoiding screens before bed and putting devices away during meals or visits with family and friends.
Henson said the goal is not to remove social media, but to help children and teens use it intentionally while still making time for sleep, family and real-life connection.
