Article at a Glance
According to a Pew Research Center report, up to 95 percent of teens aged 13–17 confirm using a social media platform. Fully 35 percent of teens say they are using at least one of them “almost constantly.” In today’s digital world, social media is nearly impossible for teens to avoid—but at what cost?
As pediatrician Dr. Michael Fullmer of Utah Valley Pediatrics observes, the mental health effects of excessive screen time are undeniable. “I have definitely seen a dramatic rise in the number of teens with anxiety and depression,” he states.
Parents, schools, and communities must step up to help teens develop a healthier relationship with technology.
To raise awareness about this growing issue, Utah Valley Pediatrics is shining a light on teen depression and its links to social media. This is the second of two articles offering insights into its impact and practical steps for parents. Today, we’ll look at the symptoms of teen depression, what parents can do to break the scroll cycle linking teen anxiety and social media, and broader community and institutional interventions.
Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. The American Psychological Association reports that using tactics such as doomscrolling, push notifications, and no time limits “can lead to adolescents making decisions based on short-term gain, lower appreciation of long-term risks, and interference with focus on tasks that require concentration.”
Notably, excessive engagement in doomscrolling has been linked to negative mental health outcomes, including increased symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Unfortunately, this constant stimulation takes a toll on mental health. Dr. Fullmer compares screen time to junk food: “If we eat too much junk food, we feel sick to our stomachs. If we have too much screen time, we feel sick in a different way. It often manifests itself in anxiety and depression.”
The pressure to present a perfect life online can leave teens feeling inadequate. One study found that teenagers who spend upwards of three hours per day on social media may be at a heightened risk for mental health issues, particularly internalizing problems.
“There is definitely a bigger problem when children compare themselves to others electronically/virtually rather than in person. The line between reality and fantasy gets blurred,” Fullmer warns.
Parents should be alert to warning signs such as increased isolation, irritability, declining school performance, and excessive screen time.
“The child may be spending a lot of time alone,” Fullmer warns. “They may be irritable. Their school performance may be declining, or they may be missing school. They may not be talking about friends and activities.”
When teens prioritize social media over real-world interactions, their ability to build meaningful relationships and focus in school declines. Over time, this can result in long-term developmental issues.
As Fullmer notes, “Adolescents are trying to figure out what makes them happy and what makes them sad. What is good in their life and what is bad. What they like and what they dislike. Heavy screen exposure makes this very hard to do.”
Parents must lead by example when it comes to screen habits. It’s hard to admonish teens about too much screen time when parents are scrolling through their Facebook feeds, catching up with the political opinions of former high school classmates, and lamenting all the trolls on their local city citizens page.
Fullmer suggests starting by setting aside at least one phone-free day per week and establishing phone-free family mealtimes.
“Parents need to model good behavior,” he says. “They should sit down and discuss this with their children.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests creating a Family Media Plan that can help parents and children set healthy priorities.
Encourage Alternative Activities
Encouraging teens to engage in hobbies, exercise, and in-person social interactions can significantly improve mental health. Fullmer stresses that technology should be treated like driving a car—teens need structured guidance before they are given full access. Teens aren’t just handed a driver’s license without having come of age and completed proper training first.
“Children need to be taught to safely and effectively use a smartphone so it becomes a useful tool for them,” he says.
Addressing this crisis requires collective action. Utah Valley Pediatrics advocates for schools restricting smartphone use, tech companies designing more responsible platforms, and parents banding together to create a healthier digital culture.
“If there are more children without smartphones, fewer children will want smartphones,” he says. “This is a community problem. Everyone needs to pitch in to help fix the problem.”
While social media is here to stay, parents can take meaningful steps to ensure that their children use it in a healthy way. By setting limits, encouraging offline activities, and fostering open conversations, families can help teens develop resilience against social media’s negative effects.
For further questions on teen depression and anxiety, consult any of our 33 pediatricians at 12 convenient locations across Utah Valley and beyond.
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