Kids on social media more than two hours a day at higher risk of mental illness

BLUF

The study found heavy social media use increased adolescents’ mental health risks, especially in ages 12–13. While age restrictions help, risks persist across teens, requiring broader measures like education, parental support, and platform accountability.

Learning Outcomes 

• Analyse the relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health, including the impact of time spent online.
• Evaluate how vulnerability to social media harms varies across age groups, particularly in early adolescence.
• Assess the effectiveness and limitations of policy responses, including age restrictions, parental influence, and platform accountability.