Today, the link between social media and mental well-being It is at the center of numerous public and scientific debates. Young people, the main users of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or X (formerly Twitter), show a Growing concern about how their digital activity impacts their mental healthThis focus is supported by reports from national and international institutions that highlight the risks associated with excessive and unregulated use of mobile devices and social media.
The statistics collected 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 and public agencies.
Time on social media and its psychological effects
According to a recent report by the Ministry of Youth, Young people who spend more time connected to social networks report higher levels of emotional distress and report feelings of loneliness more frequently than those who limit their digital use. While these data reflect a clear correlation, specialists warn that the relationship is bidirectional: prolonged exposure can intensify anxiety symptoms, but it's also true that those experiencing low mood may turn more to social media as an escape route or in search of companionship.
The statistics are revealing: while approximately 23% of those who use social media up to three hours a day have low psychological indicators, the figure rises to 35% among those who spend more than eight hours a day. Furthermore, groups such as young women and the LGBTI community They show even higher rates of loneliness and distress, suggesting that the impact of social media does not affect all youth equally.
The report also stresses that Addictive consumption, rather than the specific hours, is the greatest risk factor for the development of suicidal thoughts or anxiety and depression disorders. Fifteen percent of minors are at high risk for suicide, with women and young people of foreign origin or from mixed families being the most affected. Added to this is the economic obstacle: almost half of these young people have never seen a mental health specialist.
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 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 closely linked to the development of anxiety and emotional distress, especially among young girls.
Expert recommendations and strategies for healthy use
Specialists insist on the importance of adopting responsible digital habitsSome practical recommendations include establishing usage limits, disable unnecessary notifications, and prioritize face-to-face contact against hyperconnectivity. Psychiatrist Enrique Rojas, for example, suggests techniques such as put everyday difficulties into perspective and reduce the drama in the face of adversity, since anxiety often comes from magnifying problems that, over time, lose real weight.
In addition, it is advisable to make a conscious selection of the content consumed, avoiding accounts or profiles that generate feelings of discomfort and insecurity. The practice of Mindfulness, periodic disconnection or promoting offline activities contribute to strengthening emotional balance.
It's not about demonizing technology: experts recognize that balanced use can foster creativity and learningThe key, they point out, lies in developing critical thinking and ensuring that the digital universe does not replace full human interactions.
Ethics and digital education, central axes of the current debate
The topic was also addressed at the IX International Congress on Communication Ethics held in Valencia, where the issue was analyzed. The role of the media and social networks in public perceptions of mental health. The need for a robust digital education and the importance of providing accurate information, avoiding stigmatization and sensationalist hoaxes and reports about suicide, addiction, or mental disorders.
Participants agreed that, in the current era of artificial intelligence and algorithms, it is essential to provide citizens – especially the youngest – with tools to discern between reliable information and pseudoscience, as well as to detect and combat misinformation that can aggravate psychological problems.
Social networks, experts conclude, present both opportunities as 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 dependency, 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.