Teenagers and social media

It can be difficult to understand why your teenager uses social media so much. It might seem like they're always online, distracted from the life in front of them. This page will help you learn more about social media and teens, why it matters to them, and what the risks and benefits of social media can be.

This page will help you to:

• learn more about what social media is

• understand why your teen uses social media, or what they are doing on there

• understand the risks and benefits of teens using social media.

Why do young people use social media?

Social media is a way for teenagers to stay in touch with their friends. Teens have always talked after school, long before social media – hanging out at the bus stop, at the local park, chatting on the phone – now they just have a different platform to do so.

It is an important part of socialising and connection in the modern world. The main reasons teenagers regularly use social media include:

• talking to friends

• joining in on group conversations

• learning about current events and staying up to date with online content

• meeting new people

• not having anything to do, or feeling bored.

It can also be a connection to mental health and wellbeing support. In fact, 73 per cent of young people in Australia turn to social media for mental health support and 40 per cent sought professional help after viewing mental health information on social media. 

What are the benefits of social media for teenagers?

Being socially connected is very important for the psychological development of your child and, in this day and age, the online environment is where many teens connect. Using social media could help your teen:

• develop better social skills

• feel less isolated

• learn about new cultural and societal ideas and issues

• access information about mental health and wellbeing

• bond with their friends

• have fun

• be creative and share their own ideas with friends

• be better equipped to be active citizens in society

• develop real world skills to help them become more independent

• learn about world events and current affairs outside of their immediate environment.

What are the risks of using social media?

Like any form of social engagement, social media comes with risks. Some of the most common risks of social media include:

• spending too much time online and being disconnected from the real world

• being the victim of online bullying or image-based abuse

• damaging your online reputation

• having your personal information shared online

• being harassed or annoyed by someone you do not want attention from

• being the victim of an online scam

• developing reduced self-esteem.

Just like in the offline world, there are things you can do to protect your child from these risks. It's important to prepare them for how to respond if these things do occur.

How can social media affect teen mental health?

Social media plays a significant role in your teen's life that brings both opportunities and challenges to their mental health and wellbeing. On the positive side, it can help them build connections, find supportive communities, and express themselves creatively. Many teens use social platforms to maintain friendships, explore interests, express themselves and stay informed about issues that matter to them.

However, excessive social media use can impact your teen's mental health through comparison with peers, fear of missing out (FOMO), online harassment and cyberbullying and exposure to unrealistic standards or misinformation. It may also affect their body image, sleep patterns and ability to focus on school work. 

Learn more about the relationship between social media and teen body image from GP, Dr Preeya Alexander.

What if my teen is addicted to social media?

Sometimes teenagers can feel a 'compulsion' to check their social media accounts frequently, but this is generally only in extreme cases. Helping your teenager to develop positive habits, like taking regular breaks from checking social media, can help reduce the compulsion to check in with social media so often.

Learn more about social media addiction and excessive screen time from psychologist and digital wellbeing expert Jocelyn Brewer.

How do I tell if something is wrong?

Whatever your child is doing, it's important to be aware of their behaviour and their wellbeing. It’s probably time to chat with them about their social media usage if you notice big changes in:

• their energy levels and enthusiasm for offline life

• their engagement in normal conversation

• the amount of time they spend doing other activities, like sport, homework, and other hobbies

• their self esteem and sense of self worth.

A family screen audit can help you figure out the household rules around screen use.

How can I keep them safe on social media?

While it's natural to want to protect your teenager from every online risk, the reality is that social media is an integral part of their social world. Rather than attempting to control or restrict all access, focus on building open, judgement-free conversations about their online experiences. Think of your role as shifting from protector to guide, helping them develop the skills to navigate their digital world safely and responsibly. 

You can help by setting healthy boundaries together, and watching for signs that online activities might be affecting their mental health. Consider using any available parental controls and encourage regular digital breaks, while also respecting their need for privacy and independence. Watch how comedian and actor Peter Rowsthorn navigates conversations about digital privacy with his teen daughter, Billie. 

It’s important to let your child know that even if they make mistakes or encounter problems online, you're there to help, not to punish. Learn more about helping your teen stay safe online.