For better or worse: how does social media affect young adults’ well-being?

A recent survey of US teens and young adults on social media and mental health found that while 15% found social media made them feel worse when they were depressed, stressed or anxious, 27% said it made them feel better. Here Vicky Rideout presents the main findings from the survey which was sponsored by two organisations working to promote adolescent mental health, Hopelab and Well Being Trust, and argues that a one-size-fits all approach won’t work. Vicky Rideout is president of VJR Consulting, specialising in national survey research about children, families and media in the US. She currently serves as the editor for Reviews and Commentaries at the Journal of Children and Media.