70+ Social Media and Mental Health Statistics (2023)

June 5, 2024

Social media use linked to anxiety, depression, loneliness, poor sleep. Cyberbullying up, addiction on rise.

Social media has become an integral part of our lives. While it has its advantages, it also has its drawbacks. One of the major concerns is its impact on mental health. In this article, we will delve into the statistics surrounding social media and mental health.

15 Key Statistics on Social Media and Mental Health

71% of people who use social media agree that it is important to take a break from it.
45% of social media users feel overwhelmed by the amount of information shared on social media.
24% of teenagers say social media has a mostly negative effect on their life.
70% of teenagers check social media several times a day.
59% of adults who use social media report that it has impacted their mental health.
41% of women on social media report feeling pressure to present themselves in a certain way.
63% of people on social media report being lonely.
37% of people on social media report feeling FOMO (fear of missing out).
63% of parents believe social media is harmful to their children's mental health.
32% of teenagers report being cyberbullied.
40% of people on social media report feeling anxious or depressed after using it.
60% of people on social media report feeling like they need to take a break from it.
70% of teenagers believe that social media platforms do not do enough to prevent cyberbullying.
42% of people on social media report feeling more insecure about their appearance after using it.
37% of people on social media report being negatively impacted by political discussions on social media.

Social Media Use By Teens and Mental Health Statistics

Teenagers are one of the age groups that are most affected by social media. They use it to connect with their peers and share their experiences. However, social media can also have a negative impact on their mental health. Here are some statistics related to social media and teenagers:

24% of teenagers say social media has a mostly negative effect on their life.
70% of teenagers check social media several times a day.
32% of teenagers report being cyberbullied.
70% of teenagers believe that social media platforms do not do enough to prevent cyberbullying.

Social Media and Adults Statistics

Adults are also affected by social media. They use it to connect with their friends and family and keep up with the news. However, social media can also have a negative impact on their mental health. Here are some statistics related to social media and adults:

59% of adults who use social media report that it has impacted their mental health.
41% of women on social media report feeling pressure to present themselves in a certain way.
37% of people on social media report feeling FOMO (fear of missing out).
42% of people on social media report feeling more insecure about their appearance after using it.
37% of people on social media report being negatively impacted by political discussions on social media.

Mixed Views on Social Media's Impact on People Their Age

53% of teenagers believe that social media has both positive and negative effects on their generation (source: Pew Research Center)
55% of adults believe that social media is a waste of time (source: PEW Research Center)
60% of parents believe that social media has a negative impact on their children's mental health (source: American Psychological Association)

These statistics show that there are mixed views regarding the impact of social media on people their age. While some believe it has both positive and negative effects, others see it as a waste of time or even harmful to mental health.

Social Media Platforms And The Number of Active Users

Here are some of the most widely used social media platforms and their number of monthly active users as of 2021:

Facebook: 2.8 billion monthly active users
YouTube: over 2 billion logged-in monthly active users
WhatsApp: over 2 billion monthly active users
Instagram: over 1 billion monthly active users, with a majority being under the age of 35
TikTok: over 1 billion monthly active users
WeChat: over 1.2 billion monthly active users
QQ: over 800 million monthly active users
Sina Weibo: over 550 million monthly active users
Reddit: over 430 million monthly active users
Twitter: over 330 million monthly active users

These platforms are used by people all over the world to connect with others and share information and ideas.

Social Media and Loneliness

Social media is often seen as a way to connect with others. However, it can also lead to loneliness. Here are some statistics related to social media and loneliness:

63% of people on social media report being lonely.
40% of people on social media report feeling anxious or depressed after using it.
60% of people on social media report feeling like they need to take a break from it.

Negative Impacts of Social Media Use on Mental Health

Negative impacts of social media use on mental health are a growing concern. Here are some statistics related to this issue:

A study found that individuals who spent more than two hours a day on social media were more likely to report poor mental health.
Increased social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
In a survey, 45% of young adults reported feeling more anxious after using social media.
Research has shown that social media use is associated with increased feelings of loneliness and decreased life satisfaction.

Negative Experiences in Social Media

44% of people on social media report experiencing online harassment or abuse.
37% of adults who use social media report being exposed to false or misleading information.
In a survey, 42% of young adults reported feeling sad or depressed after using social media for an extended period of time.
A study found that individuals who experienced cyberbullying were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.
21% of teens report feeling worse about their own lives because of what they see on social media.
Social media use has been linked to increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
A study found that Instagram is the worst social media platform for mental health, with negative effects including anxiety, depression, and poor body image.

Social Media Usage and Impact on Mental Health

62% of people who experience mental health problems have been negatively impacted by social media usage.
Social media addiction is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality.
A study found that individuals who spent more than two hours a day on social media were more likely to report poor mental health.
Social media usage has been linked to increased feelings of loneliness and decreased life satisfaction.
In a survey, 45% of young adults reported feeling more anxious after using social media.
Cyberbullying can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Social media platforms have been criticized for not doing enough to prevent cyberbullying.

Alarming Rates of Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among High School-Aged Youth

In 2019, the suicide rate among youth aged 15 to 19 was 14.5 per 100,000 individuals.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24.
In a survey conducted in 2020, it was found that almost one in four high school-aged youth have considered committing suicide in the past year.
Additionally, the same survey found that approximately one in ten high school-aged youth have attempted suicide in the past year.

Social Media Addiction and Mental Health

Social media addiction is a growing concern, with more and more people spending increasing amounts of time on these platforms. Here are some statistics related to social media addiction and its impact on mental health:

A study found that individuals who spent more than two hours a day on social media were more likely to report poor mental health.
71% of people who use social media agree that it is important to take a break from it.
Social media addiction is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality.
Increased social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
In a survey, 60% of people on social media reported feeling like they need to take a break from it.

Social Media Addiction Statistics

Social media addiction is a growing concern with many people spending increasing amounts of time on these platforms. Here are some statistics related to the trend of social media addiction:

21% of social media users check their accounts more than five times per day.
The average person spends about 2 hours and 24 minutes per day on social media.
Social media addiction is more common among young adults, with 28% of them admitting to being addicted to social media.
90% of people aged between 18 and 29 use social media.
The number of people using social media has increased by over 13% in the last year alone.

Conclusion

Social media has become a ubiquitous part of our lives, with billions of people using it every day. While it has its benefits, such as connecting with others and sharing information and ideas, social media also has negative impacts on mental health. Studies have found links between social media use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and poor sleep quality.

Cyberbullying is also a growing concern among teenagers who use social media to connect with their peers. Furthermore, the rise of social media addiction is alarming, with more and more people spending increasing amounts of time on these platforms.

It's important to recognize the potential negative impacts of social media use on mental health and take steps to mitigate them. This may involve limiting social media usage or taking breaks from it altogether. Social media platforms themselves can also do more to prevent cyberbullying and promote positive mental health outcomes for their users.

As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media, it's crucial that we prioritize our mental health and well-being above all else.

Recent Articles

How to Address Perfectionism in Adolescents: A Parents Guide

The Benefits of Journaling for Teen Mental Health

How to Support a Teen Through Mental Health Crises

Impactful Role of Play Therapy for Adolescents

The Impact of Peer Pressure on Teen Mental Health

How to Help Teens Set Healthy Boundaries for Better Mental Health

The Importance of Mental Health Education in Schools

Emergency Medical Services for Children

Quality Services for Children with Disabilities

Caregiving Support 101: How to Best Support a Caregiver

Locating Caregiver Support Groups Near Me

Health Services for Children with Special Needs

Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Children in New York

Top Services Available for Children with Autism

The Role of a Care Manager for Children with Disabilities

Respite Care for Adolescents with Disabilities

Who Qualifies for Home Health Care Services?

The Role of Home Health Care in Caring for Children with Disabilities

Best Respite Care for Youth with Disabilities

Post Induction Therapy Guidelines in Children

Post Induction Therapy Protocol in Childhood Explained

The Key to Effective Post Induction Therapy Duration

The Role of Post Induction Therapy Drugs

The Link Between Peer Pressure and Teen Depression

Can You Secure Respite Care for Your Child?

The Definition and Impact of Post Induction Therapy in Childhood

How Much is Short-Term Respite Care?

How Much Does Respite Care Cost per Hour?

Respite Care for Young Adults Near You

Effects of Respite Care for Troubled Youth

Communicating Effectively with Teens About Their Health

Coping Mechanisms for Teens with Chronic Illness

Strategies for Supporting Teens with Chronic Illness

Helping Teens with Mental Health Issues

Supporting Teens with Chronic Illness and Mental Health

Effective Therapy for Parentified Children

Healing from Parentification and Codependency

Parentified Child Definition Explored

Healing from Parentification: Unlocking Emotional Freedom

Parentified Child Syndrome Awareness

Effective Sleep Hygiene Strategies for Teens

Strategies for Dealing with Adolescent Sleep Disorders

How to Manage Circadian Rhythm Disruption in Teens

Managing Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Teens

How to Overcome Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents

How Music Therapy Supports Adolescent Mental Health

Practical Approaches to Managing Teen Insomnia

Strategies to Support Your ASD Teen

How to Guide Them Through Grief and Loss

Nurturing Teens with Phobias and Fears

Parenting a Teenager with Bipolar Disorder [Essential Tips]

Managing Bipolar Disorder in Teenage Boys

Key Indicators of Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Understanding Adolescent Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options

Bipolar Disorder in Teenage Girls

The Dangers of Social Media for Youth

The Five Types of Coping Strategies for Children with Disorders

Why Group Therapy is Essential for Children with Disorders

What is a Group Home for Young Adults?

Who Developed Group Therapy?

Schizophrenia and Weed - A Comprehensive Analysis

Can Weed Really Cause Schizophrenia?

Heavy Cannabis Use and Its Link to Schizophrenia

At What Age of Does Schizophrenia First Appear?

Young Men at Risk of Schizophrenia Due to Cannabis Use Disorder

Social Phobia Support Groups for Teenagers

Overcoming Social Anxiety in Adolescence

Coping with Teenage Social Anxiety Symptoms

Social Anxiety Disorder in Teenagers [Parenting Tips]

Understanding Social Phobia in Adolescents

What Really is Truant Behavior?

What is Truancy in School?

The Effects of Truancy in Children

Examples of Truancy in Teens: Disturbing Revelations

New York's Laws on Truancy (Absenteeism)

Structured Group Therapy for Behaviorally Disabled Children

How Group Therapy Works for Parents and Children in New York

Why is Group Therapy Effective?

What to Expect in Group Therapy for NY Families