Social Media Impact on Teens: A Review

Abstract

This review explores the impact of social media use on the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Adolescence is the transitional phase of life between childhood and adulthood, characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, emotional and psycho-social development. During this stage teenagers are particularly sensitive to online influences. The data was collected from academic databases such as pub-med, Scopus, and Google scholar, studies published from 2018 to 2024 were reviewed. The combination of 30 selected studies indicated both positive and negative outcomes associated with social media use. On the positive side, social media improves social connectedness, self-expression and skills development, providing adolescents with supportive networks and opportunities for identity formation. On the negative side excessive and uncontrollable use has been linked to cyberbullying, addiction, body image concerns, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression and decreased interpersonal relationships. The findings revealed that the effects of social media depend largely on usage patterns, design features, and individual differences. The review concludes that responsible and mindful use of social media, along with digital literacy education and parental guidance, is crucial to reduce risks and promote adolescents’ psychological well-being.