Purpose of Review <p>We evaluate the contemporary societal belief that social media use causes mental health problems among adolescents, such as depressive and eating disorders, and suicide. We alternatively raise the more likely scenario that poor mental health is what can drive social media use/overuse.</p> Recent Findings <p>We summarize empirical evidence from longitudinal studies on relations between social media use/overuse and mental health among adolescents, demonstrating mixed findings and important methodological limitations that preclude our ability to state that social media use is a major cause of mental disorder. Nonetheless, we discuss the need for government regulation of social media companies, given that these companies have purposefully promoted excessive social media use in adolescents, and have inadequately protected against violent content and misinformation on their platforms.</p> Summary <p>Social media use/overuse is not likely a major cause of mental disorder, but can nonetheless result in other harms.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Social Media use is Associated with, but is not a Major Cause of Mental Disorder among Adolescents

  • Jon D. Elhai,
  • Zsolt Demetrovics,
  • Silvia Casale,
  • Christian Montag

摘要

Purpose of Review

We evaluate the contemporary societal belief that social media use causes mental health problems among adolescents, such as depressive and eating disorders, and suicide. We alternatively raise the more likely scenario that poor mental health is what can drive social media use/overuse.

Recent Findings

We summarize empirical evidence from longitudinal studies on relations between social media use/overuse and mental health among adolescents, demonstrating mixed findings and important methodological limitations that preclude our ability to state that social media use is a major cause of mental disorder. Nonetheless, we discuss the need for government regulation of social media companies, given that these companies have purposefully promoted excessive social media use in adolescents, and have inadequately protected against violent content and misinformation on their platforms.

Summary

Social media use/overuse is not likely a major cause of mental disorder, but can nonetheless result in other harms.