Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, a newly released book, “The Anxious Generation,” and the 2024 World Happiness Report, are stirring the conversation around social media use and mental health, and the statistics are worth noting:

Formative Youth Years

• The Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that adolescents spending more than three hours per day on social media double their risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes.
• According to the CDC, thoughts of self-harm, among youth ages 10-24 have been increasing – by as much as 62% between 2007 through 2021.

Despite these alarming statistics, 95% of adolescents ages 13 to 17 use social media, with about 30% self-reporting almost constant use. And, despite age requirements on social media platforms in the U.S., around 40% of this country’s 8- to12-year-olds still use it.

Much of the concern is the natural brain development of adolescents. As various parts of the brain integrate and the prefontal cortex develops, adolescents are primed for learning. Simultaneously they are struggling with their own identities and the increased autonomy that typically comes with the teen years. Pairing those sensitivities with online harassment and hate-based social media content often leads to negative emotions, particularly among teen girls and LGBTQ youth.

Adult Social Media Interactions

• Sixty-nine percent of adults in the U.S. use social media. Unpredictable outcomes and the possibility of future “rewards” (“likes” and shares) means social media is addictive by nature.
• Social media has also been linked to poorer physical health. Our sleep in particular is negatively affected, which can lead to depression and memory loss. These in turn can cause things like headaches, nausea, and muscle tension.

Maturity does not make adults immune from the negative effects of social media; similar associations between social media and depression that youth encounter have also been found among the adult population – including the elderly.

Adults are also susceptible to the online comparisons that frequently occupies social media pages. This can lead to chronic self-doubt and “imposter syndrome” – when one is convinced they aren’t as good as they thought or aren’t worthy of success.

Take Action to Take Back Family Health

So what can you do? If you’re a parent or guardian of an adolescent, set boundaries and expectations. This can be aided through other steps, such as:

• Setting tech-free zones that encourage personal interactions, including mealtimes.
• Keeping phones out of bedrooms at bedtime.
• Mindfully creating family activities such as working on jigsaw puzzles together, playing board games, or spending time outdoors.
• Limiting chat functions, and monitoring content as much as possible. Make it clear that you are open to listening and discussing any concerning posts or content, and provide adolescents with tools to help them do their own fact-checking.

One of the most important things you can do, however, is to model healthy social media behaviors. Experts suggest keeping track of your emotions before and after you are on social media. If you find your mood has spiraled downward, set your own limits and seek out other activities and interactions. By distracting yourself away from the lure of these online platforms, you are setting a positive example for your children while simultaneously being kind to your mind.

Recognize, too, that the addictive nature of social media may require outside support. Fortunately, your Transocean benefits include readily accessible mental health assistance for you and your family. Optum’s Talkspace is a digital platform offered to all US employees that allows you to engage with a licensed therapist anytime, anywhere. Additionally, if you are enrolled in a Transocean medical plan, you can also have online sessions with a licensed psychiatrist within the UHC network, access a library of helpful PsychHub videos on various mental health topics, and up your coping skills with AbleTo to help you feel better.

Be sure to also catch our May webinars that explore related mental health topics – more information is below. And remember, the most important “like” you can get in this world is the one you give to yourself.