Is social media more harmful or helpful?

Both sidesSays it is contested

Is social media a help or a harm? I'll weigh the latest research on both sides.

Social media is not inherently more harmful or more helpful - its effect depends on how, how much, and by whom it is used.

The American Psychological Association in its first health advisory on social media use in adolescence concluded that platforms are "not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people", stating more explicitly that "Social media is neither inherently harmful nor beneficial to our youth," and that

> "Using social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people. ... In most cases, the effects of social media are dependent on adolescents' own personal and psychological characteristics and social circumstances—intersecting with the specific content, features, or functions that are afforded within many social media platforms

Research overall is mixed and inconsistent.

> Despite the topicality of this question, the literature is still inconsistent

Some studies have indicated social media use may be tied to negative outcomes, while other studies have not found evidence for harm, or have indicated that social media use may be beneficial for some individuals

How social media can be helpful

1.Connection and belonging: The use of social media can enhance connection, increase self-esteem, and improve a sense of belonging.

2.Social support and peer networks: In a review of 43 studies in young people, many benefits were cited, including increased self-esteem, and opportunities for self-disclosure. More specifically:

•It can facilitate social interaction - online interactions may be easier for individuals with impaired social functioning and anonymity can help individuals with stigmatizing conditions connect with others

•Access to a peer support network helps people seek information, discuss symptoms and share experiences

3.Maintaining relationships: Research indicates adolescents and young adults frequently use social media as a way to build and maintain friendships and greater use has been linked with higher social support. Social media can further promote a sense of community and assist in keeping relationships not otherwise maintained

4.Education, information and opportunities: Benefits such as collaboration, connection, and sharing to emerge through social networking platforms. When applied to education, these platforms have shown to have a positive effect on student learning. Participating in social media communities helps educators collaborate and connect, fostering their professional success. Ethical use can also increase opportunities for connection and communication, boosting one's self-esteem, promoting one's health, and getting access to crucial medical information.

The potential for benefit is also seen in health interventions: social media platforms may afford new opportunities to bridge shortfalls in mental health services by enhancing quality, availability, and reach of services.

How social media can be harmful

1.Mental health risks: Studies have reported associations between social media use and a range of mental health outcomes, including increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, emotional dysregulation, and suicidal ideation. Other work has linked use to suicidality, loneliness and decreased empathy. Several studies have linked the use of electronic devices with an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression and self-injury, particularly in people with pre-existing risk factors.

A review suggests there are a great amount of negative effects of social media such as anxiety, and researchers identified a pattern of small to medium positive associations between higher levels of social media use and harmful psychological outcomes (i.e., anxiety, depression, and distorted body image).

In a table of challenges, studies show increased exposure to harm, social isolation, depressive symptoms and bullying.

2.Cyberbullying, addiction and hostile interactions: It also presents risks, including cyberbullying, addiction potential, harmful content, misinformation, and privacy concerns.

Three core risks often discussed are cyberaggression and cyberbullying; sexting, coercion, and risky online interactions; and misinformation and interaction with harmful online groups. Cyberbullying is associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms.

3.Social comparison and displacement: Social comparison pressure and social isolation after being rejected on social media is common. Social media can replace in-person interactions to contribute to greater loneliness and worsen existing mental symptoms.

Importantly, population estimates do not imply all use is harmful. One study noted this is not meant to imply that reductions in mental health problems would definitively happen if social media use were reduced or that all social media use is harmful.

What makes the difference

Research points to how you use it, not just whether you use it:

•Active vs. passive use: Actively connecting, supporting others, and creating content tends to be linked to higher well-being, while passive scrolling and comparing tends to be linked to lower well-being.

•Time and intensity: More frequent visits and more number of social media platforms has been linked with greater depressive symptoms, anxiety and suicide.

•Content and context: The same platform can be a source of bullying for one teen and a vital LGBTQ+, illness, or interest-based support community for another.

•Vulnerability: Negative effects are especially pronounced for youth, and adolescents, due to their developing critical evaluation skills and high prevalence of mental health challenges, are particularly vulnerable.

For that reason, reviews conclude mindful use is essential to social media consumption.

Making it more helpful, less harmful

If you choose to use social media, research-based strategies help tilt the balance toward helpful:

•Curate your feed - follow accounts that inform, inspire, or support you; mute or unfollow those that trigger comparison or hostility.

•Use actively, not passively - message, comment supportively, create - rather than endless scrolling.

•Set boundaries - time limits, no-phone bedrooms or mealtimes, and regular breaks. Experimental studies show deactivating Facebook even for 4 weeks reduced online activity while increasing offline socializing.

•Protect privacy and verify information - be cautious about sharing personal health information and misleading information when platforms promote popular content.

•Watch for warning signs - stress, pressure to compare oneself to others, and increased sadness and isolation, sleep disruption, or cyberbullying exposure.

Bottom line: For most people social media is both helpful and harmful. On balance, it is helpful when it strengthens real relationships, provides accurate information and peer support, and is used intentionally and in moderation - and more harmful when it replaces sleep, exercise and in-person connection, fuels constant comparison, or exposes users to harassment and misinformation.

If you are experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety, loneliness, or harassment online, consider talking to a trusted person, counselor, or helpline, and review privacy and reporting tools on the platforms you use.

Citations (2)

1pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAcademic
Pros & cons: impacts of social media on mental health
Backs: “Some studies have indicated social media use may be tied to negative outcomes, while other studies have not found evidence for harm, or have indicated that social media use may be beneficial for some individuals. How social media can be helpful. Connection and belonging: The use of social media can enhance connection,…”
evidence, article, neutral. Claim: Social media use can enhance connection, increase self-esteem and improve sense of belonging, though the literature is inconsistent with some studies finding harm and others benefit.
2pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAcademic
Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice - PMC
Backs: “Social support and peer networks: In a review of 43 studies in young people, many benefits were cited, including increased self-esteem, and opportunities for self-disclosure. More specifically: It can facilitate social interaction - online interactions may be easier for individuals with impaired social functioning and…”
evidence, article, neutral. Claim: A review of 43 studies in young people cited benefits like self-esteem and self-disclosure; online interaction can ease social contact for those with impaired social functioning.