Navigating Childhood in the Digital Age: The Dual Impact of Social Media on Youth

The proliferation of social media has fundamentally reshaped the developmental landscape for children and adolescents, offering both unprecedented opportunities for connection and expression as well as significant risks to mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being. This presentation examines how social media affects youth across multiple domains: mental health (including depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, cyberbullying, and suicidal ideation), cognitive and language development, academic outcomes, online safety (exposure to inappropriate content and misinformation), and positive impacts such as social support, identity formation, and creative expression. The discussion draws on recent empirical findings—including a longitudinal JAMA Network Open study linking rising social media use to increased depressive symptoms in tweens—as well as broader reviews by authoritative health bodies like the U.S. Surgeon General. By balancing contemporary research evidence with actionable insights for educators, caregivers, and policymakers, this presentation highlights best practices for mitigating risks while harnessing social media’s potential to support youth development.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Farmers Branch.