Nearly half of teens say social media is bad for youth mental health, report finds

CNN - Apr 22nd, 2025

A recent Pew Research Center report reveals that nearly half of US teens perceive social media as having a mostly negative effect on people their age, with a significant number actively reducing their time spent on these platforms. The survey, which included 1,391 US teens and their parents, highlights growing concerns among parents, educators, and healthcare professionals about the impact of social media on young people's mental health. Notably, 48% of teen respondents believe social media adversely affects their peers, and 44% have reduced their screen time. This trend aligns with increasing calls for social media companies to implement stricter safety measures for young users.

The report underscores the broader context of ongoing debates over social media's role in youth well-being, drawing attention to gender disparities, with teen girls reporting more negative impacts than boys. This aligns with previous research linking social media to depression, particularly among girls. Regulatory actions in various regions, such as Australia's ban on social media for teens under 16 and Utah's age-verification requirements, reflect efforts to mitigate these concerns. Despite the negative perceptions, a majority of teens acknowledge the positive aspects, such as creative expression and staying connected, indicating a nuanced relationship with social media.

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RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of social media on teen mental health, supported by credible sources such as the Pew Research Center. It accurately presents key findings and context, making it a reliable source of information. The article effectively balances the discussion of both positive and negative impacts, though it slightly emphasizes the negative aspects. It addresses a timely and significant public interest topic, contributing to ongoing debates about technology use and mental health. While the article is clear and engaging, it could benefit from more detailed transparency regarding the study's methodology and a more organized structure to enhance readability. Overall, it is a well-rounded piece that informs readers about an important societal issue.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on the findings of the Pew Research Center report, citing specific statistics such as nearly half of US teens believing social media has a mostly negative effect on their peers. It also correctly references the increase from 32% in 2022 to 48% in the current report. The article includes direct quotes from the study and provides context with regulatory actions, such as those by the US Surgeon General and Utah's legislation, which are factual and verifiable. However, while the article is largely accurate, it would benefit from more detailed sourcing or direct links to the original Pew report for readers to verify the information themselves.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by discussing both the negative and positive impacts of social media on teens. It highlights concerns about mental health and excessive use while also acknowledging that many teens find social media beneficial for creativity and staying connected. However, the article leans slightly towards emphasizing the negative impacts, with more space dedicated to discussing adverse effects and regulatory responses. Including more perspectives from teens who view social media positively could enhance balance.

Clarity

The article is generally well-written and easy to follow, with a logical structure that presents the findings and context clearly. The language is straightforward, making the complex topic accessible to a general audience. However, the article could improve clarity by organizing the information more systematically, perhaps by separating the discussion of negative and positive impacts into distinct sections.

Source quality

The primary source for the article is the Pew Research Center, a reputable and well-regarded organization known for its rigorous research and surveys. The article also references credible sources like internal Meta documents and statements from public officials. While the article does not directly link to these sources, the references are credible and align with known facts, enhancing the reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article provides a clear summary of the Pew Research Center's findings and mentions the methodology briefly, such as the survey of 1,391 US teens. However, it lacks detailed transparency regarding the methodology used in the study, such as how the survey was conducted or the margin of error. Including this information would improve transparency and allow readers to better understand the context and limitations of the findings.