How does social media affect mental health in daily life? Extensive social media use and constant access to social media platforms have been linked to an array of social media and mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body image issues, and lower overall well-being
Research papers in clinical psychological science, as well as countless studies conducted by Pew Research Center, have all indicated that time spent social networking and social media use may contribute to a major public health crisis, especially for children who use social media throughout their teenage years.
While social media use may provide a few potential benefits, those who access social media platforms often or commonly use social media may potentially suffer the negative effects, especially users with an inherently addictive nature.
Many people, both young and old, often constantly check social media either to boost their social media literacy or their self-esteem, which can ultimately trigger anxiety. Obsessive social media use can quickly lead to mental health issues that vary from mild body image issues to externalizing problems, sleep problems, and severe mental health problems.
According to several systematic reviews conducted by the Pew Research Center, mental health conditions can arise when a person feels isolated, compares their physical appearance to unrealistic body images, or struggles with excessive use of social media.
At Reich & Binstock, our skilled Houston product liability lawyers can help file a social media addiction lawsuit.
If you or your child is suffering from youth mental health or physical health outcomes from social media usage, contact our Texas social media liability lawyers for a free consultation. Call 713-622-7271 to discuss your social media addiction case.
Why Do Young People Use Social Media Platforms?
Young people and young adults often rely on social media platforms for several reasons:
- Strengthening peer connections
- Seeking to boost self-esteem
- Sharing self-expression in creative ways
- Quickly communicating, watching engaging videos, or discussing experiences involving school, relationships, and personal interests
According to Pew Research Center data, the majority of teens’ social media use is to interact with friends or classmates through social networking daily. Social media apps cater to various personality traits, and teens’ social media use is targeted directly by the addictive nature of social media platforms.
Young adults and teens’ social media use is a major contributor to lower psychological well-being and low self-esteem, usually related to body image, or other young people on social media apps that spread hurtful rumors.
Young adults constantly accessing social media may start showing symptoms of social media addiction.
But why is social media addictive?
Teen’s social media accounts often showcase idealized lifestyles, resulting in depressive symptoms in some who feel their lives are less exciting. While there are potential benefits to social media use, like supportive communities, there is an increased risk of the negative impact of abuse, such as negative impacts of other users, spreading hurtful rumors that can diminish mental health, and can result in social media addiction, especially for teenagers with self-esteem issues.
Is Social Media Bad For Mental Health?
Studies suggest that social media use can influence mental health in multiple ways. Sometimes, online social interactions offer emotional support, but they can also have negative effects, such as feeling overshadowed by others’ accomplishments or comparing one’s physical appearance to highly edited images.
In addition, the surgeon general’s advisory points to a growing concern that social media usage might exacerbate certain mental health conditions. Examples include anxiety, depression, or depressive symptoms, and suicide-related outcomes. Several studies and medical internet research papers question how much time spent on social media use may affect mental health.
Children and teens struggling with mental health issues often need assistance managing their social media habits before more serious complications take root.
How Social Media Affects Mental Health
Social media and mental health outcomes have much closer relationships than most realize. So, how does social media affect mental health?
Poor mental health sometimes arises when a person feels overwhelmed by regular negative posts, cyberbullying, or comparisons on social networking sites. Young adults who find themselves frequently online may discover that fueling anxiety occurs through the addictive nature of certain social platforms. This environment can spark depressive symptoms or low self-esteem when individuals do not receive the social support they need in real life.
Multiple age groups are affected by poor mental health tied to social media. Some family members notice how prolonged time spent on social media can reduce real-world relationships. Instead of forming supportive connections, individuals might be left with fewer friends or narrower perspectives, reducing overall well-being. This issue spans different communities, so it is important to raise awareness of the negative effects of social media to help people find healthier ways to interact with both online and offline friends.
Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues
Body image pressures remain a major factor in teen’s social media challenges. Young adults might access social media and immediately compare their physical appearance to influencers who appear flawless due to editing tools. The repetition of these images can spark low self-esteem and ongoing concerns about personality traits or weight. Such comparisons might be linked to eating disorders and mental health condition concerns.
The influence on self-esteem is not limited to teenagers. Online social interactions can also harm older users who feel they cannot keep up with constantly changing trends. This can affect psychological well-being and subjective well-being while creating a feeling of isolation. A systematic review of this topic has shown that images shared on social networking often distort reality, intensifying negative effects on self-image. Even when people realize photos are edited, the pressure to look perfect can lead to excessive use of beauty filters.
Encouraging Dangerous Behaviors
Some teens’ social media discussions might promote harmful acts, such as extreme dieting or other trends that threaten adolescent health. Eating disorders can sometimes be traced to accounts that glamorize drastic weight loss. Additionally, negative aspects of social media can draw users toward self-harm forums or even groups that ignore professional help in favor of questionable advice.
These behaviors have the potential to leave lasting emotional scars. Spreading hurtful rumors is another way social networking can undermine youth mental health. Such activities might also compromise family members who worry their loved ones will make rash choices offline. Frequent harmful exposure sometimes leads to mental health issues that grow more severe if not addressed early.
What Issues Can Excessive Social Media Use Lead To?
Excessive use of social media may affect adolescent health, well-being, and subjective well-being. For instance, people might experience increased social anxiety when confronted with constant messages and comparisons. Young adults who constantly check social media often cite difficulties focusing on work or study tasks, which can trigger a downward spiral in productivity and emotional harmony.
In some situations, online abuse can worsen mental health condition symptoms, especially when individuals experience relentless harassment. Aggressive comments, negative posts, or the spreading of hurtful rumors contribute to a hostile environment that fosters lasting emotional scars. The fueling anxiety cycle starts with time spent scrolling through alarming updates or hateful messages. Without strong offline friends or a healthy support network, these stresses can disrupt psychological well-being and reduce overall life satisfaction.
Fear of Missing Out and Constant Notification Monitoring
Fear of missing out (FOMO) drives many young people to constantly check social media, often due to the belief that immediate access to updates, comments, and emotional support is necessary to stay connected. This behavior activates the brain’s reward center, reinforcing an addiction to social media use that can be difficult to break. A report by the Pew Research Center found that time spent monitoring notifications can contribute to poor sleep quality, increase feelings of anxiety, and harm mental health and overall well-being. While social media platforms are designed to help users connect, they can also create other issues, making it challenging to focus and increasing the potential harms associated with excessive use.
Avoiding Social Interactions and Neglecting Responsibilities
Users who spend too much time on social networking may begin avoiding real-life relationships and neglecting responsibilities like homework, phone calls, or family activities. Constant exposure to social media apps can erode offline connections and create a sense of exclusion, especially when users see others having “more fun” or living seemingly better lives.
Recent research studies examining a teen’s social media engagement show that higher usage is associated with lower psychological well-being, low self-esteem, and increased feelings of loneliness across age groups. Researchers focusing on human behavior have found that young adults, in particular, may neglect family members and everyday responsibilities as they prioritize responding to social platforms. This behavior, if left unaddressed, can fuel anxiety, depression, and stress, leading to worsening mental health outcomes and reduced life satisfaction. Social media usages that replace real-world relationships and emotional presence with digital validation may also impact self-worth, diminish the influence of positive role models, and further complicate mental health in a world already facing increasing complications from digital overload.
What Are Common Signs That Social Media Is Affecting Someone’s Mental Health?
A few warning signs indicate a loved one is struggling with social media. For example, they might prioritize screen time over household tasks or offline friends, skip meals, or neglect basic self-care. Medical internet research shows that such behaviors may be linked to a mental health condition if they persist for an extended period.
Emotional shifts, including depressive symptoms, heightened social anxiety, and sudden mood swings, might hint at underlying mental health struggles. Other red flags include poor sleep quality, irritability, or a tendency to avoid real interactions in favor of scrolling through social media platforms. Some individuals might constantly check social media upon waking, leading to immediate stress and a lowered sense of well-being.
How Can You Help Your Child or Teen with Social Media Addiction?
Parents who notice their child’s social media habits taking a toll should pay attention to warning signs like dropping grades or visible mood changes. If you suspect a social media addiction, open communication is important. Talking to children about filters on posts and body image can clarify some of the negative aspects of social media use.
Parents can unravel social media influence by:
- Introduce healthy hobbies to create balance in daily life.
- Set social media screen time limits on time spent online, such as device-free dinners or screen-free hours.
- Establish ground rules for social media use to safeguard against harmful content and excessive screen time.
- Nurture positive online social interactions while remaining watchful for worrisome behavior.
Additionally, parents should build social media literacy, as this helps adults whose children or teenagers use social media, limit time on social, and ensure their child doesn’t suffer the impact of social media use on children and teenagers. Algorithms encourage excessive use, and these users are more prone to experience the negative impact of social media use. This awareness is part of public health discussions, as the time spent on social media and why users use social media will determine the impact of social media on human behavior. Families can explore reputable sites and sources, like the Pew Research Center or official human services agencies, that raise awareness about the subject. Spending time comprehending how the brain’s reward center reacts to using social media shows why certain features encourage constant scrolling. With better knowledge, adopting mindful routines and practicing mindfulness throughout social media use becomes easier.
Can You File a Lawsuit For How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health?
Sometimes, despite best efforts, serious harm arises from a child’s social media involvement. The impact of social media, such as cyberbullying, harassment, or design features that push excessive use, leaves lasting emotional scars. If you feel that using social media played a direct role in your family’s challenges, a social media addiction lawyer understands how companies may be held responsible for the addiction.
When social media use has a negative impact on a child or teenager’s mental or physical health, legal claims might involve product liability or negligence, depending on the circumstances. For instance, on teen’s social media accounts features like infinite scrolling and frequent notifications can exploit addictive natures and inadvertently harm a child’s well-being.
A successful claim may offer compensation for therapy costs, loss of academic opportunities, or emotional distress. In some cases, online abuse or spreading hurtful rumors can cause lasting emotional scars that limit future prospects. If you believe your family has experienced harm connected to these designs, speaking with a social media attorney may help you determine your rights, especially if your child has developed a mental health condition.
Talking with a professional can help you decide whether filing a social media addiction claim makes sense. We focus on guiding loved ones who have experienced negative effects from social media usage. Call 713-622-7271 for a free consultation.
Discord Lawsuit
Our Discord lawsuit attorney team is currently evaluating claims involving teens and kids who were exposed to cyberbullying, rumors, and other conversations on Discord. Researchers from publications like JAMA Psychiatry, the American Psychological Association, and the International Journal have found that excessive use of Discord, YouTube, and Facebook may impact overall well-being, increase a teen’s feelings of isolation, and even be linked to suicides among adolescents. With one-third of young users spending over three hours online daily, the impact on relationships, school, and mental health has become critical. This legal action aims to re-examine how communication, technology, and internet spaces influence development, especially during adolescence, and to hold Discord accountable for its effect on people’s lives.
Facebook Lawsuit
Our Facebook lawsuit attorney team is handling claims tied to Facebook use and harmed teens and kids. Several studies published in the American Journal, JAMA Psychiatry, the International Journal, and other studies have found that Facebook use is linked to feelings of depression, loneliness, and poor overall well-being. Adolescents spending over three hours a day on Facebook are at greater risk of damaged relationships, declining school performance, and worsening mental health. This legal action aims to re-examine how these technologies hinder adolescent development, drawing on a growing body of evidence that highlights the role of social media in rising suicide rates and disrupted communication during adolescence.
Snapchat Lawsuit
Our Snapchat lawsuit attorney group is handling claims tied to Snapchat use and features that have harmed teens and children, particularly through exposure to cyberbullying, sextortion, and addictive content. Research published in journals like the American Psychological Association indicates that Snapchat use is linked to feelings of depression, isolation, and declining overall well-being among adolescents. Notably, features such as disappearing messages and filters have been criticized for facilitating harmful connections and promoting unrealistic self-images, triggering self-worth and body dysmorphia issues. Legal actions aim to re-examine how such technology and communication tools hinder development during adolescence, with mounting evidence suggesting that these social media may exacerbate mental health challenges and disrupt relationships and school performance.
Instagram Lawsuit
Our Instagram lawsuit attorney team is reviewing claims that Instagram hurts teens and kids by promoting unrealistic highlight reel content and intentional design defects. Recent research studies by the American Psychological Association and other studies have linked Instagram and Facebook use to poor overall well-being, more suicides, and higher feelings of depression and isolation. With many adolescents spending over three hours a day on Instagram and Facebook, this lawsuit will re-examine how communication and addictive design features impact teens’ mental health and development.
Snapchat Lawsuit
Our Snapchat lawsuit attorney team is reviewing claims that Snapchat has exposed teens to harmful content, emotional manipulation, and contact with strangers, all of which may impact their mental health and other aspects of their lives. Critics argue Snapchat’s disappearing messages, addictive design, and lack of effective safeguards are an unnecessary risk during a vulnerable age, resulting in depression, loneliness, and decreased physical activity. Research from multiple university sources and meta-analysis reports suggests that the use of social media apps like Snapchat can interfere with homework, real-life conversation, and other aspects essential to life, jeopardizing bright futures and raising serious youth mental health concerns.
TikTok Lawsuit
Our TikTok lawsuit attorney is reviewing claims that TikTok poses unique dangers to teens by delivering a continuous, algorithm-driven video stream that encourages dependence for happiness. Unlike X (formerly Twitter), which focuses on text-based updates and news, TikTok’s immersive format uses sound, motion, and curated highlight reel content, which is designed to reduce healthy physical activity, interrupt homework, and increase exposure to harmful trends, like the TikTok chroming challenge or blackout challenge. Researchers in psychology and university-backed studies warn that TikTok’s impact can worsen depression, reshape adolescent identity, and impact how teen users connect, express emotions, and handle tough times. Legal efforts are underway to hold TikTok responsible for damage to mental and physical health, education, and bright futures.
Social Media Addiction Lawyer Handling Lawsuits Nationwide
If regular or constant exposure to social networking sites contributed to or was detrimental to your teen’s or child’s mental health, our social media and mental health lawyers can help. We understand the psychology of social networking and have the social media literacy to hold developers of social media apps responsible, especially in youth mental health claims. While the internet and social networking were designed to foster community, they have many negative effects due to lax regulations.
If your child’s or teen’s social media experience resulted in eating disorders, anxiety, depression or depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, body image issues, low self esteem, or other youth mental health outcomes, our lawyers will support your family as you explore how best to safeguard life satisfaction and restore psychological well-being for your child or teenager.
If your teen’s social media abuse was on an app that encouraged excessive use, parents may have legal grounds to sue.
Our commitment to public health and human services drives us to seek resolutions that lead to better lives for children in our community. We care about adolescent health and are prepared to help you confront the negative aspects that might be fueling anxiety. If you are ready to take the next step in protecting your child’s well-being, reach out to the social media addiction lawyers at Reich & Binstock. Complete our online information form to request a free consultation, or call us at 713-622-7271. Our goal is to support your family and promote a healthier future.
