Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health

Purpose of ReviewThis review delves into the intricate relationship between social media and adolescent mental health, scrutinizing underlying psychological mechanisms and proposing directions for future inquiry and interventions.Recent FindingsThe interaction between social media use and adolescent mental health is complex. Many studies focus on the negative outcomes, such as increased depression, anxiety, and decreased life satisfaction, with contributing factors such as social comparison, fear of missing out, cyberbullying, and impaired sleep. However, the potential for positive influences through enhanced social support and information seeking is also recognized.SummaryThe review reveals a multifaceted relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health, emphasizing that effects are shaped by how, why, when, and by whom social media are used. Ongoing research must consider design features of different social media "spaces" and the psychological states of users that mold the relationship to develop a more comprehensive understanding.