Public concern has increased regarding the impact of social media on teen mental health following the U.S. surgeon general’s advisory. Calls to ban teens from social media apps have emerged, but researchers suggest that social media could actually offer support for adolescent mental health. Many teens, especially those with minoritized identities, rely on digital spaces for mental health support due to barriers to traditional treatment. Studies have shown that online interventions, like single-session interventions, can effectively reduce depression and anxiety in teens. Collaboration between policymakers, tech companies, and researchers is essential to ensure that social media platforms provide helpful tools for youth mental health.
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