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Impact of Device Proximity on Sleep
Comparison of sleep duration for teens with and without phones in their bedrooms.
Primary Sources
Social Media and Your Child: What the Research Says About Development
Parents have watched social media change from something teenagers did on computers to something primary school children access on phones. Research on how this affects children keeps growing. While some findings are concerning, the picture isn't entirely negative. Understanding what researchers have discovered can help you make better decisions about your child's online activities. Evidence points to real effects on development, but these vary considerably between children and depend on how social media gets used. Effects on self-esteem and mental health Large-scale studies from universities including Oxford and Cambridge have tracked connections between social media use and young people's wellbeing. The results show a complicated relationship. Heavy social media use correlates with increased anxiety and depression in teenagers, particularly girls aged 13 to 16. A 2022 study following 17,000 UK teenagers found those spending over five hours daily on platforms reported 50% more mental health difficulties than light users. The relationship works both ways though. Children already experiencing low mood often turn to social media more, which can create a cycle. Some young people find genuine support and community online, especially those who feel isolated in their offline lives. Type of use matters more than time spent. Passive scrolling through others' posts tends to worsen mood, while active engagement and creative content can have neutral or positive effects. Video-based platforms appear particularly linked to comparison and dissatisfaction. Sleep disruption Sleep research is clearer than many other areas. Screens in bedrooms correlate strongly with later bedtimes and poorer sleep quality. The Sleep Council reports that UK teenagers who keep phones in their bedrooms average 90 minutes less sleep than those who charge devices elsewhere. Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, but the engaging nature of social media creates a bigger problem. Fear of missing out keeps many young people scrolling when they'd otherwise feel tired. Morning tiredness then affects school performance and mood regulation. Changes in social development Today's children conduct much of their social life online, which brings both opportunities and challenges. They can maintain friendships across distances and find communities around specific interests more easily than previous generations. Face-to-face social skills may suffer though. Researchers note that te...
What parents say about their teen's uses of social media
About this research This study is Pew Research Center’s latest effort to explore the landscape of teens and technology today. It focuses on social media and how the views and experiences of teens vary across sites. This study focuses on three widely used sites by teens: TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. And it unpacks their parents’ views, too. Why did we do this? The Center conducts research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers. Tracking the use of social media and understanding the experiences of teens and their parents today have been key priorities for us over the years. This study brings those two areas together. Teens are often at the forefront of technology use, and social media sites are no different: Our December report showed that most teens use social media. It’s important to understand how social media play a role in teens’ daily lives – as well as how their parents feel about it. Learn more about Pew Research Center. How did we do this? We surveyed 1,458 U.S. teens and their parents online from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9, 2025. Our data collection partner Ipsos recruited the teens via their parents, who were part of its KnowledgePanel. Findings about teens’ views and experiences represent the views of all U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 who live with their parents. Findings about parents’ views and experiences represent the views of all U.S. parents of teens ages 13 to 17. For both teens and parents, the overall margin of error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. For the margin of errors of subgroups, refer to the methodology. This research was reviewed and approved by an external institutional review board (IRB), Advarra. An IRB is an independent committee of experts that helps to protect the rights of research participants. Here are the questions used for this report, along with responses, and the survey methodology. Warnings about the potential harms of social media for youth are everywhere – some even targeting specific apps. To see if parents’ outlook shift by platform, we surveyed 1,458 U.S. parents of teens ages 13 to 17. We asked parents about how they think social media generally impact their teen. And for the first time, we followed up with their views on three widely used platforms: TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Here are our key questions: What is social media’s impact on your teen’s well-being? How much time does your teen spend on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat? Are you OK with your teen using these three...
8 Ways Social Media Is Reshaping Youth Mental Health in 2026
In 2026, social media continues to reshape youth mental health in profound ways—fueling anxiety, disrupting sleep, and exposing young people to harm, while also offering connection and creativity. The evidence is clear: heavy, passive, or harmful engagement poses real risks, particularly during adolescent brain development.
Global reassessment of social media for youth - Hindustan Times
Global reassessment of social media for youth This article is authored by Lipika Jain and Samyak Sharma, public affairs professionals, MSL India.
