CAVEAT – We’re always excited to explore solid, evidence-based research on how youth use technology socially and how it impacts their mental health. However, much of this research can be difficult for parents and caregivers without a background in academic studies to fully understand. In this article, we’ll break down some newly released research into clear, accessible language for parents, caregivers, and educators. It is important to know that this study did not look at the question “does social media cause mental health challenges”. Rather, this study looked at how teens with diagnosed mental health conditions compared with those teens who did not have a diagnosis, when it came to their use of social media. Again, this doesn’t establish a causal link, but it does show that young people with mental health conditions use social media differently than young people without a condition.
A 2025 UK based study, “Social media use in adolescents with and without mental health conditions” that was just released explored how teenagers use social media, and how this relates to their mental health. (1) Researchers focused on 3340 adolescents aged 11 to 19 in the UK, examining both those with diagnosed mental health conditions and those who had no diagnosis.
Key Findings:
- Increased Usage Among Those with Mental Health Conditions: Teens with mental health issues tend to spend more time on social media compared to their peers without such conditions, amounting to an average of roughly 50 minutes extra on a typical day
- There were Different Experiences Based on Mental Health Condition Types – Internalizing Conditions vs Externalizing Conditions
Internalizing Conditions (like anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder):
These teens often engage in more social comparison, feel more affected by online feedback, and are less satisfied with their number of online friends. They also tend to share less honestly about themselves online.
Key Social Media Experiences of Teens with Internalizing Conditions:
1. More emotionally intense social media use
- These teens often feel worse about themselves after using social media, especially when comparing themselves to others.
- They were more sensitive to feedback like likes, comments, and followers. Negative feedback or lack of interaction could really affect their mood.
2. Higher levels of social comparison (about one in two)
- They tended to compare their appearance, popularity, or life experiences to what they see online , and often felt like they didn’t measure up.
- This comparison was linked to lower self-esteem and higher distress.
3. Lower satisfaction with online relationships
- Even though they were active online, these teens reported feeling less satisfied with their number of friends or the quality of interactions.
- They didn’t feel as connected or supported by their online social circles.
4. Less authentic self-expression
- They were more likely to say that they don’t share their true selves online. perhaps out of fear of judgment or rejection.
- This can create more internal conflict and feelings of isolation.
5. More negative impact on mental health
- Overall, their experience on social media was more emotionally charged and linked to distress and mood changes (about one in four).
- Social media use seemed to amplify their existing mental health challenges rather than help them cope.
What This Means for Parents:
If your teen struggles with anxiety, depression, or a similar internalizing condition, they may:
- Be very emotionally invested in social media, and hurt by comparisons or negative feedback.
- Use social media in ways that intensify their insecurities, rather than boost confidence.
- Benefit from open conversations about what they’re seeing online and how it makes them feel.
- Need support in developing healthier social media habits, like following uplifting accounts or taking breaks when they feel overwhelmed.
Externalizing Conditions (like ADHD or conduct disorders):
These teens primarily report spending more time on social media, but their experiences differ from those with internalizing conditions.
Teens with externalizing conditions, such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or conduct disorders, had distinct experiences with social media that differed from teens with internalizing conditions (like anxiety or depression).
1. They spent more time on social media.
- These teens reported higher overall usage of social media than their peers without mental health diagnoses.
2. But their emotional experience on social media was different.
- Unlike teens with internalizing conditions, who often felt worse about themselves after comparing to others online or were more affected by feedback (like likes or comments), teens with externalizing conditions did not report these same patterns.
- They were less likely to engage in or be affected by negative social comparison.
3. They were less likely to report controlling their use.
- Teens with externalizing conditions found it more difficult to regulate their time and attention on social media platforms.
- This may reflect the impulsivity and difficulty with self-regulation that are core features of conditions like ADHD.
4. Their online behaviour was less about emotional connection and more about stimulation or distraction.
- These teens might use social media more as a way to stay busy, entertained, or distracted, rather than to seek emotional connection or validation.
What This Means for Parents:
If your teen has ADHD or another externalizing condition, they may:
- Be using social media more frequently or impulsively.
- Struggle to manage screen time or disengage from apps.
- Be less emotionally affected by social feedback (like comments or likes) but still vulnerable to overuse.
This suggests that parental guidance and structured boundaries around social media use can be especially helpful for these teens, not necessarily because the content is harmful, but because they may have trouble moderating their own use.
Youth Social Media Experiences: Internalizing vs. Externalizing Conditions Comparison Chart
| Category | Internalizing Conditions (Anxiety, Depression) | Externalizing Conditions (ADHD, Conduct Disorders) |
| Time Spent on Social Media | Moderate to high | High – often significantly more than peers |
| Emotional Response | Highly emotionally invested; often feel worse after use | Less emotionally reactive; not as affected by content or feedback |
| Social Comparison | Frequent and negative – compare looks, popularity, life events; feel inferior | Less frequent or impactful; not a major focus |
| Sensitivity to Feedback | Strongly affected by likes, comments, and perceived approval | Less sensitive to online feedback |
| Satisfaction with Online Friends | Often feel unsatisfied or disconnected, even with lots of online interaction | Generally less concerned or aware of connection quality |
| Authenticity in Sharing | Tend to withhold true feelings or hide aspects of self | May overshare impulsively, or share without concern for consequences |
| Self-Regulation and Control | May ruminate or emotionally spiral, but can sometimes step back with support | Struggle to self-regulate; use is more impulsive and harder to control |
| Overall Impact on Mental Health | Often negative – reinforces feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, or anxiety | Less emotional impact, but risky due to poor control and overuse |
As this study clearly shows, social media is not inherently good or bad, its impact largely depends on how individual teens engage with it and the mental health challenges they may already be facing. Teens with internalizing conditions, such as anxiety or depression, often experience more emotionally intense and sometimes harmful interactions online. For them, social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and distress. On the other hand, teens with externalizing conditions like ADHD may not be as emotionally affected by online interactions, but they may struggle with impulsive overuse and self-regulation, using these platforms primarily for stimulation or distraction.
This nuanced understanding is critical for parents, caregivers, and educators. Instead of viewing social media through a purely negative or positive lens, it’s more productive to consider each teen’s unique emotional and psychological context. Open, empathetic conversations and individualized support strategies, such as encouraging mindful use, setting healthy boundaries, and helping teens reflect on their online experiences, can make a real difference.
Ultimately, this research reinforces why digital parenting needs to move away from blanket rules and toward informed, compassionate guidance. When we better understand the “why” behind a teen’s social media behaviour, we’re better equipped to help them build a healthier, more balanced relationship with the digital world.
This study highlights the importance of recognizing that not all teens experience social media in the same way. Mental health status plays a significant role in how adolescents interact with and are affected by social media. Understanding these differences can help parents, educators, and healthcare providers support teens more effectively in navigating their online environments. Mental health conditions shape a teen’s experience with social media, and why a one-size-fits-all approach to digital parenting doesn’t work.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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