Once Again, Problematic Social Media Use Is Linked to Higher Depression Risk in Teens
For many parents, social media has become one of the biggest unknowns of modern parenting. Some wonder, is it just about how teens socialize now, or could it be harming their mental health longterm? A new study is adding to the growing evidence that the answer may depend less on how long teens spend on social media and more on how they use it.
The research, published at the end of 2025 in the journal Scientific Reports but just announced through a press release on March 16, found that adolescents who show signs of problematic social media use —meaning they struggle to control their use or feel compelled to stay online — are more likely to develop depressive symptoms over time.
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When Social Media Use Becomes Problematic
The study followed 2,121 secondary school students in Spain, tracking their social media habits and mental health over the course of a year. Researchers found that teens who experienced problematic social media use were more likely to report increased depressive symptoms a year later.
One thing that stood out to researchers was that the issue wasn’t simply screen time. Instead, the risk appeared tied to compulsive or hard-to-control behaviors, like feeling the need to constantly check social platforms or struggling to stop using them. (Something many parents can even relate to this, am I right?)
In other words, a teen who spends time on social media but can easily log off may have a very different experience than one who feels anxious or unsettled when they can’t check their notifications.
The study also found the relationship between social media and depressive symptoms varied by age. The link appeared strongest among younger adolescents (around age 13) and weakened as teens got older (disappearing by about age 16). Researchers also observed gender differences. Among girls, having more followers was associated with higher depressive symptoms, while among boys the relationship appeared neutral or slightly protective.
Another Piece of a Growing Puzzle
The findings are part of a larger conversation researchers have been having about teens, social media, and mental health. A previous SheKnows article explored similar research showing that addictive social media habits in adolescence are associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression.
This latest study supports that idea, adding more evidence that compulsive patterns of use — not just time spent online — may be an important factor in teen wellbeing.
Other research has reached similar conclusions. A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open found that increased social media use during early adolescence was linked to rising depressive symptoms over time, particularly among younger teens.
The issue is also being examined in court. A major U.S. trial against companies including Meta and YouTube is exploring whether social media platforms were intentionally designed to encourage compulsive use and whether that contributed to mental-health problems among young users, according to reporting from the BBC.
At the same time, researchers are still trying to understand whether reducing social media use can make a meaningful difference. In the U.K., scientists recently launched a large trial examining whether limiting teens’ social media use can improve mental health outcomes. According to reporting from the BBC, the study is exploring whether cutting back on social media could lead to changes in mood, sleep, and overall well-being among adolescents.
What This Means for Parents
None of this research suggests that social media is automatically harmful for every teen. But it does highlight why experts are paying closer attention to how young people interact with these platforms.
Signs of problematic use can include:
Feeling anxious or upset when unable to access social media
Losing track of time online or struggling to stop
Social media interfering with sleep, schoolwork, or friendships
Constant checking of notifications or follower counts
When use starts to feel compulsive (you know, when kids feel pressure to stay connected, constantly check notifications, or struggle to step away), it may be a signal that something deeper is going on.
For parents, the takeaway may be less about strict screen-time limits and more about staying curious about how social media fits into their child’s life. Talking with teens about what they see online, how it makes them feel, and whether it ever feels hard to log off can offer important insight into their digital habits and their mental health.
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