“Social media is not inherently bad or good. There are some risks and there are some benefits,” Nagata said.
The ability to connect and communicate, which many teens and younger children find in social media, can be beneficial for their development, Nagata said. It’s when the more negative effects of social media arise that people should pause and consider whether it’s worth it to them, he said.
While the study conducted by Nagata and his team does not provide a specific explanation for why depression has a positive correlation with increased social media use, they pointed to a variety of potential factors.
Sleep deprivation, the proliferation of content that glamorizes disordered eating, and cyberbullying can all contribute to worsening mental health among young people, Nagata noted. Another study published this week by Nagata and his team, for example, found that cyberbullied tweens were nearly three times more likely to report having suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Researchers in the study also found that social media use can actually be addictive, and that excessive consumption of it can adversely affect children’s daily functioning and their in-person relationships. Many apps have built-in algorithms and notification systems that are intended to keep people hooked, and young people can be particularly susceptible, Nagata said.
“Social media and some of these devices can be used in ways that are actually harmful for adolescents,” said Nagata, whose clinical practice focuses on adolescents with eating disorders. “Particularly for those with mental health conditions, it can even worsen them.”
He urged concerned parents to think about limiting their children’s access to social media — especially before bedtime — and to model healthy screen usage in their homes. For younger children, more restrictions could also prove beneficial as the effects of social media on their mental health seemed especially pronounced, he added.
There is no “one size fits all” solution, Nagata said, adding that parents should have open discussions with their children to find a social media strategy that works for their family.
KQED’s Sara Hossaini contributed to this report.
