The impact of social media on adolescent mental health is often oversimplified in public discourse, according to Professor Andrew Przybylski of the Oxford Internet Institute. Media narratives frequently attribute rising rates of depression and anxiety among young people to social media use, but recent research from the University of Cambridge suggests a more nuanced understanding.
The study reveals that adolescents with diagnosed mental health conditions engage with social media differently than their peers without such diagnoses. "We found that adolescents with mental health conditions reported spending more time on social media and some were less happy about the number of online friends they had than adolescents without conditions," explained Przybylski.
Young individuals with 'internalising' conditions, such as anxiety or depression, tend to compare themselves more to others online. Conversely, those with 'externalising' disorders like ADHD or behavioral issues primarily report increased online activity without significant levels of social comparison.
Przybylski emphasized the importance of understanding how teens actually use social media rather than assuming it harms them. He stated, "If research focuses on their real experiences, we can better understand their struggles and see their use of social media as a symptom, not a cause, of their mental health conditions."
This study is notable for its reliance on clinical-level diagnoses linked to young people's reported use of social platforms. The researchers aim to challenge fixed narratives that label all technology as detrimental across all mental health issues. They highlight that most studies neglect youths already identified with clinical mental health challenges.
The findings are intended to inspire further data-driven investigations into young people's authentic experiences across various mental health conditions. The goal is to derive meaningful insights leading to informed policy changes and improved platform regulations rather than broad generalizations.
"We should invest in research that reflects where adolescents truly are, not where we think they are," concluded Przybylski.