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 –