Heavy Social Media Use Tied To Anxiety, Suicidal Thoughts In Young Adults, Study Finds

As countries across the world grapple with the growing impact of social media on young minds—with Australia leading the way by banning social media access for children under 16 and several other nations considering similar restrictions—a new US study has found a link between excessive social media use, anxiety and suicidal ideation among young adults.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) reported that teenagers who spent six hours or more a day on social media were twice as likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and three times more likely to report suicidal thoughts than those who used social media for less than an hour daily.

The findings, published in the journal Paediatrics Open Science, add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that prolonged engagement with digital platforms may be affecting the mental well-being of adolescents and young adults at a time when governments are debating stricter regulation of children's online lives.

The study comes against the backdrop of increasing global concern over excessive screen time. Last year, Australia enacted landmark legislation to prohibit children below 16 years from accessing major social media platforms, citing mounting evidence linking online exposure to deteriorating mental health. Similar policy discussions are underway in several countries as regulators weigh safeguards for children navigating an increasingly digital world.

The UTHealth Houston study followed 1,066 participants over seven years, from 2018 to 2025. Unlike many previous studies that focused on high school or college students, researchers tracked the same group of participants from early adolescence into emerging adulthood, providing a longer-term picture of changing social media habits and mental health.

Participants, who were around 12 years old when the research began, reported their average daily social media use through annual surveys. They also completed validated assessments measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Researchers found that 17 per cent of participants spent six or more hours daily on social media, while only 8.5 per cent limited their usage to less than one hour. More than one-third reported spending between one and three hours each day on social networking platforms.

Girls consistently reported higher levels of social media use than boys, and the association between social media use and anxiety was also stronger among female participants.

Lead author Jeff Temple, professor and associate dean for clinical research at UTHealth Houston School of Behavioural Health Sciences, said the findings reflect concerns increasingly voiced by families and mental health professionals.

"When teens are using social media, they're comparing themselves to others. People generally post only the positive parts of their lives, creating an impression that everyone else is happier or more successful," Temple said.

Such constant comparison, he explained, may fuel feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

Another possible explanation is that long hours spent online reduce opportunities for real-world interactions, physical activity and face-to-face relationships that are known to support emotional well-being.

"It could also be that because they're spending so much time on social media, they're not spending time in the real world getting the social experiences that make us happier and less anxious," he said.

However, Temple cautioned against assuming a simple cause-and-effect relationship.

"It is also possible that young people already struggling with anxiety or depression turn to social media as a form of escape," he said, underscoring the complex relationship between digital behaviour and mental health.

Mental health was assessed using internationally recognised screening tools for depression and generalised anxiety disorder. Participants were asked about symptoms such as poor sleep, reduced appetite, excessive worrying, feeling on edge and difficulty relaxing.

The analysis showed that those using social media for six or more hours each day had twice the likelihood of reporting anxiety symptoms and were three times more likely to report suicidal ideation compared with peers whose daily usage remained below one hour.

Although the study demonstrates a strong association rather than direct causation, researchers say the findings strengthen concerns that excessive social media engagement may be an important marker of mental health vulnerability among young people.

Mental health experts say the findings reinforce the need for balanced digital habits rather than complete disengagement from technology. Encouraging offline friendships, physical activity, family interactions and adequate sleep may help offset some of the risks associated with prolonged screen use.

Temple said research such as this is essential to move the debate beyond opinion.

"It is easy to blame what is right in front of us—our phones. But evidence helps us understand who is most at risk, why these associations exist, and what can be done either to reduce excessive social media use or to make digital platforms healthier for young people," he said.

As governments consider tighter regulation of children's online access, the study adds fresh evidence that the conversation around social media is no longer confined to technology or entertainment. Increasingly, it is becoming a public health issue, with implications for education, family life and the emotional well-being of the next generation.