Why Are Teens Blaming Social Media for Their Mental Health Struggles?

A new report from the Pew Research Center just dropped, and the message is loud and clear: a lot of teens are feeling the weight of social media on their mental health.

Nearly half of the 1,400 teens surveyed (48%) believe that social media is having a mostly negative effect on people their age. That’s up from 32% in 2022. And while only 14% say it’s harming their own mental health, the disconnect might come from not recognizing how these platforms influence their day-to-day lives in subtle but powerful ways.

The Pressure Is Real- Teens Blaming Social Media for Their Mental Health

Let’s break it down:

• 1 in 5 teens said social media hurt their mental health.

• Teen girls feel it more: 25% say it’s harmed their mental health vs. 14% of boys.

• Girls also reported more negative impacts on confidence and sleep.

• 45% say they spend too much time scrolling, up from 36% in 2022.

  
  

If you’ve ever closed your phone feeling drained, behind, or just a little less confident, you’re not alone.

Parents Are Worried, But Teens Still See the Upside

The report shows a growing number of parents, 55%, are deeply concerned about how all this is affecting their kids. But social media isn’t all bad. 74% of teens say it helps them stay connected with friends, and 34% use it to learn more about mental health, thanks to a new wave of therapist influencers and personal stories going viral.

The problem isn’t connection, it’s how we’re connecting.

It’s Not Just What You See, It’s What You Feel

Dr. Alexandra Hamlet, a clinical psychologist in NYC, explains it like this: teens might not always recognize that seeing friends constantly “winning at life” online can make them feel like they’re falling behind, even if things are going fine offline.

Teens Blaming social media for their mental health because social media doesn’t just show you content. It messes with how you see yourself, your goals, and even your sleep.

Why This Matters to Us at Socialode

This is exactly why we built Socialode.

We believe in genuine connection, no likes, no followers, no filters. Just real conversations with people who share your interests. No one should feel worse after trying to connect. That’s not social, that’s stress.

At Socialode, we’re not trying to cancel social media, we’re just rethinking it. Our mission is to create a space that brings people together without the pressure, comparison, and noise that’s making everyone feel lonelier than ever.

So if you’ve ever wanted a healthier way to connect, you’re not alone, and we’re building it for you.