Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply.
Screen time impacts our mental health in significant ways, with research suggesting particular risks for teens who spend more than three hours daily on social media.
• Higher social media usage linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and stress
• Teens more vulnerable to negative mental health effects than adults
• Using social media to escape negative feelings raises mental health risks
• Limiting social media to 30 minutes per day can lower depression and anxiety
• Open conversations about online experiences help teens develop healthy digital habits
• Unrealistic images and constant comparisons on social media harm self-worth
• Adults experience similar but less pronounced negative effects from excessive screen time
• Maintaining real-life relationships outside digital spaces provides important balance
• Screen time isn't benign—moderation is key to protecting mental wellbeing
Check us out on Instagram, find us on Threads, or send us an email at yourcheckuppod@gmail.com.
References
1. Associations Between Time Spent Using Social Media and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among US Youth. Riehm KE, Feder KA, Tormohlen KN, et al. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019;76(12):1266-1273. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2325.
2. Impact of Social Media Use on Mental Health Within Adolescent and Student Populations During COVID-19 Pandemic: Review. Draženović M, Vukušić Rukavina T, Machala Poplašen L. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023;20(4):3392. doi:10.3390/ijerph20043392.
3. Annual Research Review: Adolescent Mental Health in the Digital Age: Facts, Fears, and Future Directions. Odgers CL, Jensen MR. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines. 2020;61(3):336-348. doi:10.1111/jcpp.13190.
4. Addictive Screen Use Trajectories and Suicidal Behaviors, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health in US Youths. Xiao Y, Meng Y, Brown TT, Keyes KM, Mann JJ. JAMA. 2025;:2835481. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7829.
5. Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Narrative Review. Saleem N, Young P, Yousuf S. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking. 2024;27(11):771-797. doi:10.1089/cyber.2023.0456.
6. Adolescents' Interactive Electronic Device Use, Sleep and Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Prospective Studies. Dibben GO, Martin A, Shore CB, et al. Journal of Sleep Research. 2023;32(5):e13899. doi:10.1111/jsr.13899.
7. Relationship Between Depression and the Use of Mobile Technologies and Social Media Among Adolescents: Umbrella Review. Arias-de la Torre J, Puigdomenech E, García X, et al. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2020;22(8):e16388. doi:10.2196/16388.
Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN
Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski
