Research indicates that targeted health warnings on social media platforms could discourage teenagers and young adults from excessive use, highlighting potential for behavioural change amid concerns over mental health impacts.
Health warnings placed on social media could make teenagers and young adults less interested in using the platforms, according to research published in JAMA Health Forum. The study found that messages highlighting potential harms, such as depression, anxiety and poor body image, were generally seen as more convincing than a neutral prompt.
The research, led by Anna H. Grummon of Stanford University School of Medicine, involved 1,012 people aged 13 to 29. Participants were shown a mix of 15 messages online in December 2025, including 13 warnings about different risks, a screentime reminder similar to those already used by some platforms and a neutral control message. The warnings were then rated for how effective they seemed and how much they increased awareness of social media’s possible harms.
According to the study, all of the health warnings, along with the screentime reminder, were judged more effective than the neutral message. But the health-related warnings were seen as stronger than the screentime notice in most cases, with addiction the only exception. The findings suggest that warning labels, if deployed on social platforms, could do more than encourage a pause; they may also prompt young users to think differently about the risks of prolonged use.
The result adds to a growing body of research on how social media affects young people. Earlier work in JAMA Pediatrics suggested there may be a narrow middle ground, where too much or too little use can each be linked to poorer adolescent wellbeing. JAMA has also published discussion of the US Surgeon General’s warning about the link between social media and youth mental health, underlining the need for more evidence on what kind of interventions actually help.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
