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Parents are understandably worried about the impact of social media on the mental health of their children.

In the last two decades, mental health disorders have significantly increased among 16- to 24-year-old Australians, affecting 39% in 2022, up from 26% in 2007. Over the same period, smartphones have given young people continuous access to social media.

But questions remain about whether there is a causal link: Does spending time on social media harm young people's mental health?

This can be difficult to study directly. In our new research, we analyzed the findings of 37 studies examining the relationship between social media use and anxiety and depression symptoms in young people aged 10–24. We were surprised to find only a very weak link between the time they spent on social media and their levels of anxiety and depression.

This suggests simply restricting young people's access to social media—the focus of recent policies—may be missing the broader picture when it comes to addressing anxiety and depression.

When the social media restrictions for under-16s came into effect in December 2025, Australia placed itself at the forefront of global efforts to protect young people from social media via regulation.

Other countries, including the United Kingdom and Spain, are poised to follow suit or are watching Australia closely.

We hope that social media restrictions will indeed improve the well-being of young people.

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