The Kids Are Not Alright. But Don’t Blame Social Media.

Sydney Saubestre, senior policy analyst at New America's Open Technology Institute, wrote an op-ed published by U.S. News & World Report that examines whether or not the data support the growing push to blame social media for the youth mental health crisis. Her piece draws on the latest Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data, which, for the first time, included a question on social media use. Saubestre argues that scapegoating social media risks overlooking deeper causes of poor mental health like academic pressure, violence, and economic instability—and that could lead to harmful, misguided policies.

If we’re serious about protecting kids, we need to understand what the data really say about the many factors that affect youth mental health. The 2023 surgeon general’s advisory about the possible harms from social media acknowledged that “more research is needed to fully understand the impact.” Likewise, a recent CDC report called for more research into how social media affects youth.

But instead of delving into the root causes, politicians have scapegoated social media and looked for quick fixes. More than 20 U.S. states have passed laws requiring age verification to access social media. Utah tried to ban social media for kids under age 16, Florida tried to ban it for children under 14 and Texas is poised to do the same.

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In the meantime, limiting kids’ access to phones and social media based on unproven assumptions could do more harm than good by cutting young people off from their sources of connection. Social media has greatly benefitted, for example, groups such as LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas who rely on online communities for support.