Teens with anxiety, depression or PTSD spend nearly an hour more daily on social media than peers and are twice as likely to compare themselves negatively to others online.

Affected teens report sharper mood swings based on online feedback (28 percent vs. 13 percent of unaffected peers) and feel less able to regulate their usage, creating a harmful cycle.

 The study adds evidence to concerns that social media exacerbates rising teen depression and anxiety rates, coinciding with smartphone and platform growth since the 2010s.

Teens with anxiety or depression show stronger ties to harmful social media patterns than those with ADHD or conduct disorders, likely due to heightened sensitivity to rejection and curated online personas.

Experts urge proactive measures – screen-time limits, offline activities and media literacy – while emphasizing the need for further research and platform accountability to protect vulnerable youth.

Teenagers struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders spend nearly an hour more on social media each day than their peers – and they're twice as likely to compare themselves negatively to others online.

That's the troubling conclusion of a new study from the University of Cambridge, which analyzed data from 3,340 British adolescents aged 11 to 19. The research published May 5 in Nature Human Behavior reveals a disturbing pattern.

It found that teens with mental health conditions feel less in control of their social media use, experience sharper mood swings based on online feedback, and often feel worse about themselves after scrolling. While the study doesn't prove social media causes mental illness, it raises urgent questions about how digital platforms may be deepening the struggles of vulnerable youth. (Related: Study: Teens with “problematic smartphone use” more likely to experience anxiety and depression.)

The research, one of the first large-scale studies to examine social media habits among clinically diagnosed teens, found stark differences between those with and without mental health conditions. Adolescents with internalizing disorders – such as anxiety, depression and PTSD – spent an average of 50 minutes more per day on social media than their peers. Nearly half – 48 percent – admitted to frequently comparing themselves negatively to others online, compared to just 24 percent of teens without mental health struggles.

These teens also reported dramatic mood fluctuations based on likes, comments and online interactions. About 28 percent said their emotions shifted depending on social media feedback, versus only 13 percent of unaffected teens. Worse, many felt powerless to regulate their usage, suggesting a cycle where mental health symptoms and excessive screen time reinforce each other.

Scrolling into sadness: How social media platforms fuel teen depression

The paper's findings come amid a growing youth mental health crisis. Since the early 2010, rates of teen depression and anxiety have skyrocketed. This also coincides with the rise of smartphones and platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that social media may be a contributing factor, and this study adds weight to those concerns. Unlike past research, which often relied on self-reported mental health data, this study used clinical assessments from professional raters, making its conclusions more robust.

It's a classic "chicken-or-egg" problem: Teens with anxiety or depression may seek validation online, only to feel worse when they don’t measure up to curated, idealized lives. Alternatively, endless scrolling and comparison may erode self-esteem over time. Either way, the result is the same – a dangerous feedback loop.

Teens with internalizing disorders are often hyper-sensitive to rejection and criticism. Social media, with its highlight reels and public metrics, amplifies those insecurities. "They might feel left out or not good enough, significantly deepening their emotional struggles," said one psychiatrist familiar with the study.

The study’s authors and mental health professionals emphasize the need for proactive intervention. Parents and clinicians should work together to help teens develop healthier digital habits, implementing strategies like:

Setting boundaries: Enforcing screen-time limits and tech-free zones, especially before bedtime.

Promoting offline connections: Encouraging real-world hobbies and face-to-face interactions.

Teaching critical thinking: Helping teens recognize that social media is a curated illusion, not reality.

This study doesn't just highlight a problem; it underscores how little people truly know about social media's impact on young minds. Parents, educators and policymakers must confront the reality that for vulnerable teens, social media isn't just a pastime – it may be a minefield.

Mental.news has more similar stories.

Watch this video about seven tools to beat a "bad mental health day."

This video is from the jroseland channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CDC report: More teens are turning to drugs to deal with stress, anxiety and depression.

Social anxiety in teens and young adults worsen during the pandemic.

Mental health screening of teens creates a "crisis" where none exists.

Sources include: 

TheEpochtimes.com

Nature.com

MedicalXpress.com

NeuroscienceNews.com

Brighteon.com

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