The ever-evolving social media landscape has fundamentally changed how we communicate, consume news, and find entertainment. As of 2025, reports indicated that roughly one in five U.S. teens are on TikTok and YouTube almost constantly. The integration of AI has further shifted the digital experience, showing 64% of teens use chatbots, and 30% report daily engagement (Pew Research). While the most popular platforms: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube require users to be at least 13 years old, these limits are easily bypassed. Consequently, social media use often begins as early as age eight, with nearly 40% of US children between ages 8 and 12 active on these platforms. Although most teens report feeling more connected to their peers through these apps, about one in five admit that social media can be harmful to their mental health and agree that it poses risks. Regardless of whether one views these platforms as more detrimental than beneficial, it is essential for parents and youth to prioritize education on internet safety and the risks to their safety and wellbeing.
Countless studies have found a link to social media usage and its effects on mental health. When starting at a younger age, these effects can become more severe. Excessive social media usage is associated with increased social comparison, exposure to cyberbullying, negative content, loneliness, and poor sleep habits. Social media can contribute to substance misuse and accidental overdose, and there have been instances of illicit fentanyl sales on social media. Additionally, reports from the
CyberTipline, which serves as the national reporting mechanism for online child sexual exploitation, received over 1 million reports between January 2025 and June 2025, including reports of financial sextortion, online enticement, sadistic online enticement, child sex trafficking and generative artificial intelligence. The National Center for Missing and Exploited children stated, “offenders are increasingly using generative Artificial Intelligence tools to create explicit images using the child’s face from public social media, school or community postings, then using those generated images to blackmail them.” It is important to stay on top of emerging threats to protect children.
In January of this year, social media companies, META, Google (YouTube), Snap Inc. and TikTok began their ongoing trial in Los Angeles, with Snap and TikTok settling before the trial began, over claims that their platforms are designed to be addictive and harmful to young users. Unlike trials against social media in the past, these lawsuits put social media companies on the spot specifically for how the app operates and was designed rather than on the content itself. Explaining how features like auto-scroll, push notifications, and tailored algorithms, were meticulously designed to keep young users addicted. Plaintiffs have claimed that the resulting addiction has led to mental health issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm, including suicide. This is why it’s vital for everyone to stay informed and educated about this ever-evolving landscape.
On March 24th at San Juan Hills High School, the Wellness & Prevention Center in partnership with the Alexander Neville Foundation will host a screening of the documentary film “Can’t Look Away: A Case Against Social Media,” diving deep into social media’s impact on our lives. This documentary exposes the dangerous aspects of social media and its devastating impact on young users. Based on investigative reporting by Bloomberg News’ Olivia Carville, the film follows the Social Media Victims Law Center fighting for justice for families whose children suffered tragic consequences linked to social media use. As families seek justice, the film underscores the urgent need for industry reform and serves as both a wake-up call about the dangers of social media-and a call to action to protect future generations. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with mental health professionals, impacted families, and advocates for social media safety. The film screening will begin at 6:30 P.M. Learn more in the link below https://bit.ly/social-media-film
Written by: Isabel Villegas, Prevention Educator for the Wellness & Prevention Center. For more information, you can email lauren@wpc-oc.org.
Data Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/12/09/teens-social-media-and-ai-chatbots-2025/