Heavy Social Media Use Linked To Teen Psychological Distress

A new study by Canada's CHEO Research Institute links heavy social media use to increased psychological distress among teenagers, with younger adolescents being the most vulnerable.  

Findings from the recent study published in Frontiers of Public Health showed that 48% of adolescents used social media for three hours or more per day, and 43.7% had moderate to severe psychological distress, which was more prevalent among females (54%) than males (31%). These findings underscore the importance of promoting responsible social media use and providing support to adolescents, especially during critical developmental stages.  

In the abstract of the study, the authors concluded:

"Heavy social media use is associated with higher levels of psychological distress, with younger adolescents being the most vulnerable. Longitudinal studies are recommended for future research to examine in more depth the role of sex, age, and parental support in the association between social media use and psychological distress to better determine the strength and of the association."

“These findings emphasize the risks of excessive social media use among adolescents, particularly among younger age groups. Targeted interventions, such as limiting screen time, and developing meaningful alternative, in-person social and health-promoting activities are needed to address these risks,” said Dr. Gary Goldfield, Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research and professor of pediatrics at the University of Ottawa. He is one of the authors of the study. “Educators, parents, and mental health professionals play a crucial role in fostering healthy online behaviors and cultivating positive offline connections,” he said. 

Based on data from the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, the study involved 6,822 middle and high school students in Ontario, Canada. Heavy social media use, defined as more than three hours a day, was associated with an increase in the odds of severe psychological distress. Age was a significant moderating factor, with younger adolescents exhibiting a stronger association between social media use and psychological distress. 

While gender and parental support did not significantly affect the relationship, the study highlights the vulnerability of younger adolescents to the negative effects of heavy social media use on mental well-being. 

Martin Barillas is a retired diplomat. He is the author of 'Shaken Earth,' available at Amazon.