A new study from UTHealth Houston reveals that young people spending over six hours daily on social media are at higher risk of anxiety and suicidal ideation, highlighting the importance of balanced online habits and attentive parental support.
A study from UTHealth Houston has found that heavier social media use is linked with worse mental health outcomes among young people, including higher rates of anxiety symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Published in Pediatrics Open Science, the research followed 1,066 participants from early adolescence into young adulthood and found that those spending more than six hours a day on social media were significantly more likely to report anxiety and suicidal ideation than peers who used it for less than an hour a day.
The findings add to a growing body of work suggesting that the issue is not simply the amount of time spent online, but the nature of that time. Researchers noted that constant comparison with curated images, exposure to negative news and the pull of endless scrolling may all contribute to distress. The study also fits with other recent work indicating that the relationship between social media and youth mental health is complicated and may run in more than one direction, with poor mental health sometimes leading young people to spend more time online rather than the reverse.
For parents and caregivers, the practical message is less about banning platforms than about watching for warning signs: disrupted sleep, withdrawal from friends and family, or a sudden shift in mood after time online. Mental health specialists commonly advise setting limits on nighttime use, switching off notifications and encouraging more offline activity, including exercise and face-to-face relationships. If a young person appears overwhelmed or begins talking about self-harm, experts say help should be sought promptly.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
