Currently, the link between social media and mental well-being is at the heart of numerous public and scientific debates. Young people, the primary users of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), are showing increasing concern about how their digital activity impacts their mental health . This focus is supported by reports from national and international institutions that highlight risks associated with the excessive and unregulated use of mobile devices and social media.
The statistics gathered in these studies paint a picture in which, although technology offers unprecedented forms of communication and access to information, it also amplifies feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness , especially among those under 35. Strategies to address this phenomenon are diverse and involve both mental health experts and university research teams, as well as public agencies.
Time on social media and its psychological effects
According to a recent report from the Ministry of Youth, young people who spend more time on social media report higher levels of emotional distress and feelings of loneliness more frequently than those who limit their digital use. While this data reflects a clear correlation, experts warn that the relationship is bidirectional: prolonged exposure can intensify anxiety symptoms, but it is also true that those experiencing low moods may turn to social media more as an escape or a way to find companionship.
The statistics are revealing: while approximately 23% of those who use social media for up to three hours a day show low psychological indicators, this figure rises to 35% among those who use it for more than eight hours a day. Furthermore, groups such as young women and the LGBTQ+ community show even higher rates of loneliness and distress, suggesting that the impact of social media does not affect all young people equally.
The report also emphasizes that addictive consumption, rather than specific times of day, is the greatest risk factor for the development of suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression. Fifteen percent of minors are at high risk of suicide, with women and young people of foreign origin or from mixed families being the most affected. Adding to this is the economic barrier: almost half of these young people have never sought help from a mental health professional.
Measurement tools and new lines of research
To better understand the relationship between technology and mental health, university researchers have designed specific tools such as the PSSNUS (Psychosocial Scale for Smartphone and Network Use in Students), which assesses key aspects of problematic smartphone and network use in young people aged 18 to 35. This scale analyzes several factors:
- Psychological dependence and urgent need to be permanently connected.
- Preference for virtual communication to the detriment of face-to-face relationships, which impacts social skills and the ability to manage emotions.
- Constant search for validation and social comparison, a driver of stress, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.
- Trend towards digital control, that is, monitoring other people's activities or feeling watched, and its consequences on self-esteem.
- Impact on concentration, academic or work performance, and quality of rest.
According to the results, social comparison and the need for digital recognition are some of the factors most linked to the development of anxiety and emotional distress, especially among young girls.
Expert recommendations and strategies for healthy use
Experts emphasize the importance of adopting responsible digital habits . Some practical recommendations include setting usage limits, disabling unnecessary notifications, and prioritizing face-to-face interaction over hyperconnectivity. Psychiatrist Enrique Rojas, for example, suggests techniques such as putting everyday difficulties into perspective and reducing the drama surrounding adversity , since anxiety often stems from magnifying problems that, over time, lose their real significance.
Furthermore, it is advisable to be mindful of the content consumed, avoiding accounts or profiles that generate feelings of discomfort and insecurity. Practicing mindfulness , disconnecting periodically, and engaging in offline activities contribute to strengthening emotional balance.
This isn't about demonizing technology: experts acknowledge that balanced use can foster creativity and learning . The key, they point out, lies in developing critical thinking and ensuring that the digital world doesn't replace meaningful human interaction.
Ethics and digital education, central axes of the current debate
The topic was also addressed at the 9th International Congress on Communication Ethics held in Valencia, where the role of the media and social networks in the public perception of mental health was analyzed. There, the need for robust digital education and the importance of reporting accurately, avoiding both stigmatization and sensationalist or misleading information about suicide, addictions, or mental disorders, were emphasized .
Participants agreed that, in the current era of artificial intelligence and algorithms, it is essential to equip citizens – especially young people – with tools to discern between reliable information and pseudoscience , as well as to detect and combat misinformation that can aggravate psychological problems.
Social media, experts conclude, presents both opportunities and challenges in the field of mental health: they offer spaces for support and visibility, but require responsible management and a critical eye to avoid falling into patterns of dependence, toxic comparison, or dangerous misinformation.
The debate about the impact of social media on mental well-being is complex and ongoing. Digital technology is increasingly occupying our daily lives, and there is growing interest in finding ways to live with it in a healthy and conscious way. There are growing calls for digital education, accessible professional support, and social media use focused on personal and social growth.