Digital Wellness for Adolescents and Young Adults

Every generation is faced with unique societal and cultural difficulties they must navigate, and the current youngest generations (Generation Z and Generation Alpha) are no exception to these inevitable struggles. However, there’s likely never been an obstacle to modern mental well-being as apparent as the technological revolution that has created the smart phone, social media and other digital platforms. Even older generations aren’t immune to unhealthy relationships with their smart devices and internet-based media. The concerns have been thrust into the national spotlight again due to the recent attention to and apparent increase in political violence attributed (accurately or inaccurately) to online radicalization. What we do know is the Surgeon General sent out an advisory in 2023 regarding the increased concerns with Social Media and Youth Mental Health (2023) outlining a plethora of data regarding an emerging public health threat.

What We Know: Risks, Concerns, and Benefits

• Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Frequent social media use may be associated with changes in the developing brain, potentially affecting impulse control, social behavior, and emotional regulation
• Adolescent girls and those already experiencing mental health challenges are at higher risk of harm including body image and disordered eating, cyberbullying and online harassment, and poor sleep quality due to disrupted sleep hygiene
• Platform design like “infinite scroll”, autoplay, and constant notifications are engineered to maximize engagement, which can foster compulsive use and potentially lead to addictive like behaviors
• Social media can expose youth to harmful, dangerous and/or inappropriate content like material promoting self-harm, hate, and extreme ideologies
• Despite connecting online, excessive use can displace in-person social interaction, leading to feelings of loneliness and exclusion
• Benefits can include opportunities to find community and identity. It can provide a crucial avenue for finding social support, particularly for people in the LGBTQ+ community and those with rare health issues
• Also, these platforms can offer space for creativity and self-expression