Social Media and the Teenage Brain:Why Parents Need to Step In

By: Dr. Tolu Olupona,
Program Director for the Department of Psychiatry
at OBH Interfaith Medical Center

Teenagers are increasingly spending more time online. They go online to watch videos, use social media, play video games, listen to podcasts, and engage in other digital activities. According to a 2021 Common Sense Media survey, a significant number of teens reported heavy media use.

Thirty percent of teens aged 13–18 said they spend over 7.5 hours on YouTube daily. Seventy-seven percent reported watching online videos daily, 62% reported daily social media use, and 49% reported watching TV.

A Gallup survey on adolescent health found that over half of teens spend at least four hours a day on social media. The most used platforms among teens include Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord, TikTok, and Twitter.

Social media does have benefits. Teens use these platforms to share ideas, learn from others, and communicate—just like they do with phone calls or texting. Social media also serves as a creative outlet and allows teens to connect with peers beyond their local communities.

However, despite these benefits, growing concerns remain about the impact of social media on teen mental health. A 2016 paper in the Journal of Adolescence linked excessive social media use with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Adolescence is a critical period of brain development—the second most intensive phase after early childhood. During this time, the brain regions responsible for executive functioning, impulse control, decision-making, and planning undergo major maturation.

Areas tied to social understanding and communication—such as the medial prefrontal cortex, superior temporal cortex, and parietal junction—are also rapidly developing. Research suggests that teens are especially sensitive to peer feedback online during this phase, as their ability to process emotions and self-regulate is still evolving.

It’s during this vulnerable developmental window that teens are spending long hours online engaging in social comparison, reacting to likes, and managing emotional responses to comments, all of which can heighten stress and self-consciousness.

Parents and caretakers can help by promoting safe and healthy social media habits. Screen time should be monitored—there are excellent apps to assist with this. Teens should be encouraged to limit social comparison and take screen detox days to engage in offline activities.

Of course, this is easier said than done. But the rise in adolescent mental health concerns makes it clear that intentional efforts are needed to reduce excessive screen time during this critical period.

If your teenager is struggling to cut back, even with encouragement, seeking support from a mental health professional trained in adolescent therapy can make a meaningful difference. For more information or to connect a young person with behavioral health services, please visit us online at onebrooklynhealth.org.