Australia study links early social media use to adolescent anxiety

A study conducted in Australia involving 365 adolescents aged 10 to 15 has found a correlation between the early onset of social media use and increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research indicates that while social media may not be the direct cause of these mental health issues, a pattern exists where younger ages of first use are associated with higher reported symptoms.

The data was collected between October and December 2025, shortly before Australia implemented strict regulations to limit digital platform access for minors under 16. Within the study group, approximately 70% had used social media, with an average starting age of 11. These findings complement a larger international meta-analysis of over 363,000 children and adolescents, which also identified persistent links between social media exposure and risks of depression, anxiety, and self-harm.