A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised concerns about the mental health impact of frequent social media use among high school students in the United States. Published in a supplement to the October 10 issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the research highlights the potential harms linked to excessive social media engagement among adolescents, shedding light on the urgent need for preventive measures.

Conducted by Emily Young, M.P.H., and her colleagues at the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters, the study used data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to assess the prevalence of frequent social media use and its association with bullying victimization, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicide risk.

The findings reveal that a staggering 77 percent of high school students reported using social media frequently. The study also observed notable differences in usage patterns based on sex, sexual identity, and racial and ethnic identity. When analyzing the data, researchers found a clear link between frequent social media use and an increased prevalence of both in-person and electronic bullying, heightened feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and an elevated risk of suicide, which includes considerations of attempting suicide and making a suicide plan.

“Although additional research is needed to understand precisely how social media use differentially affects adolescent risk for bullying victimization, poor mental health, and suicide, existing evidence-based prevention strategies can be used by families, schools, and communities to promote adolescent mental health and prevent injury and violence,” the authors emphasized.

These results underscore the need for parents, educators, and policymakers to take proactive steps in regulating social media use and implementing strategies to safeguard adolescents' mental health. The study’s authors suggest that families, schools, and communities can leverage existing evidence-based prevention strategies to mitigate the negative effects of social media on young people's mental health and well-being.

The study's findings come at a time when the mental health of adolescents is under increased scrutiny, and they call for a concerted effort to promote healthy online behavior and reduce the potential harms associated with excessive social media engagement.