Many Americans Believe that Social Media has a Negative Impact on Mental Health
According to a recent YouGov poll, 40% of Americans have temporarily stopped using social media to improve their mental health, and 31% believe that social media has a negative impact on their lives to some extent.
According to a recent YouGov poll, 40% of Americans have temporarily stopped using social media to improve their mental health, and 31% believe that social media has a negative impact on their lives to some extent.
WHY IT MATTERS– The negative impact of social media on mental health, especially among teenagers, has led to a debate on whether regulations should be implemented. Age restrictions are being questioned as a way to mitigate the effects of social media on younger users.
LINK TO TEEN DEPRESSION – A YouGov poll cited a study which found an increase in depression among American teenagers and asked respondents about their opinions on the extent to which social media is responsible for this increase.
19 percent– Completely responsible
34 percent– Mostly responsible
34 percent– Somewhat responsible
4 percent – Not very responsible
2 percent– Not at all responsible
GENERATIONAL LINK – The poll also asked different generations how they perceive the impact of social media on their mental health, whether positively or negatively.
Gen Z
34 percent– Very or somewhat positive
31 percent– Very or somewhat negative
Millennial
47 percent– Very or somewhat positive
23 percent– Very or somewhat negative
Gen X
16 percent– Very or somewhat positive
41 percent– Very or somewhat negative
Baby Boomer
12 percent– Very or somewhat positive
36 percent– Very or somewhat negative
BOTTOM LINE– Most Americans are increasingly concerned about the negative impact of social media on mental health, especially among teenagers. Many believe that social media has a negative impact on their lives, and a considerable percentage of them have opted to take a break from social media to address this concern and improve their mental health.
GO DEEPER –