Teens with anxiety and depression use social media differently, study finds
New research shows adolescents with mental health conditions are more affected by online likes, friend counts and social comparisons.
If you're worried about how social media is impacting your teen’s mental health, you're not alone — and new research from the University of Cambridge suggests those concerns might be well-founded, especially for teens with anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
According to the study, which looked at more than 3,000 adolescents aged 11 to 19 across the UK, young people with internalising mental health conditions (such as anxiety and depression) spend significantly more time online, feel less satisfied with their social media connections, and report more negative emotional effects from their time on platforms.
Teens with mental health conditions spend 50 minutes more online
The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour on 5 May 2025, found that teens with a diagnosable mental health condition spend, on average, about 50 minutes more per day on social media than peers without a condition.
While previous studies have linked social media with teenage mental health struggles, this is one of the first large-scale studies to focus on young people already experiencing clinical-level symptoms. Researchers used in-depth assessments that included input from parents, teachers and clinicians, making this one of the most robust investigations into the topic to date.
“Our study doesn't establish a causal link, but it does show that young people with mental health conditions use social media differently than young people without a condition,” said lead author Luisa Fassi, from Cambridge's MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit.
“This could be because mental health conditions shape the way adolescents interact with online platforms, or perhaps social media use contributes to their symptoms. At this stage, we can't say which comes first — only that these differences exist.”
Social media comparison is twice as likely in anxious or depressed teens
For many teens, social media is where friendships and identity form — but it can also be a place of constant comparison. The study found that nearly half (48%) of adolescents with internalising conditions reported comparing themselves to others on social media, compared with just 24% of those without mental health conditions.
The emotional rollercoaster of likes, comments and shares also hits differently: 28% of teens with anxiety, depression or PTSD reported that social media feedback affected their mood, versus just 13% of their peers.
These teens also admitted to struggling with self-control around screen time and being less likely to share how they really felt online.
“Some of the differences in how young people with anxiety and depression use social media reflect what we already know about their offline experiences,” said Fassi. “Social comparison is a well-documented part of everyday life for these young people, and our study shows that this pattern extends to their online world as well.”
Friend counts matter more to vulnerable teens
The study also revealed that adolescents with mental health conditions are more likely to feel dissatisfied with the number of friends they have online.
“Friendships are crucial during adolescence as they shape identity development,” Fassi explained. “Social media platforms assign a concrete number to friendships, making social comparisons more conspicuous. For young people struggling with mental health conditions, this may increase existing feelings of rejection or inadequacy.”
ADHD and behavioural issues show different patterns
Interestingly, teens with externalising conditions like ADHD or conduct disorders didn’t show the same range of differences. The main contrast for these teens was the extra time spent online — suggesting that the emotional effects of social media might be more tied to internalising conditions such as anxiety or depression.
What does this mean for parents?
While the study stops short of confirming social media causes mental health issues, it’s a clear sign that vulnerable teens are using — and experiencing — platforms differently.
“Our findings provide important insights for clinical practice, and could help to inform future guidelines for early intervention,” said Dr Amy Orben, senior author of the study.
Experts are now calling for more investment in research, particularly into how specific types of content and online behaviours affect teens with different mental health needs.
“We need to understand how different types of social media content and activities affect young people with a range of mental health conditions, such as those living with eating disorders, ADHD, or depression,” Fassi said.
What can you do as a parent?
While you don’t need to ban social media entirely, this research reinforces the importance of open conversations with your teen about their online life. Ask how it makes them feel, what they enjoy — and what they wish were different. And if your teen struggles with anxiety, depression or self-esteem, keeping a closer eye on how they engage with social media could help you support their emotional wellbeing.
Is your teen struggling? You can reach out to YoungMinds (youngminds.org.uk) or speak to your GP if you're concerned about your child's mental health.
Reference: Fassi, L., Ferguson, A.M., Przybylski, A.K. et al. Social media use in adolescents with and without mental health conditions. Nat Hum Behav (2025).