Social media usage patterns linked to adolescent mental health risks

Research into the relationship between social media use and the mental health of children and adolescents is shifting focus from total screen time to the specific mechanisms of digital interaction. Experts suggest that the type of usage, compulsive behaviors, and individual psychological traits are more significant indicators of risk than mere duration of use.

According to Elisa Fazzi, President of the Italian Society for Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, a 2025 study published in Nature Human Behaviour examined a sample of 3,340 British adolescents aged 11 to 19. The study compared youth with and without diagnosed mental disorders. Findings indicated that adolescents with depression and anxiety disorders spend more time on social media, engage in more frequent social comparisons, and place greater importance on likes and comments. These individuals reported that online feedback significantly impacts their mood.