How Social Media Use Impacts Teen Mental Health

The idea that social media use has helped fuel an increase in anxiety, depression and loneliness among teenagers was once controversial. But a series of studies are helping researchers understand how much of a correlation exists between the two.

NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff tells us about Jean Twenge, a researcher who first raised the alarm in 2017, and about other researchers who have recently released studies on this topic.

And NPR's Allison Aubrey shares some advice from another study looking into ways to minimize social media's impact.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Elena Burnett and Mallory Yu. It was edited by William Troop, Jane Greenhalgh and Diane Webber. Sami Yenigun is our executive producer.