Please check out this report, Teen Talk Report on the Impact of Social Media on Student Mental Health, from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General which examines how social media and artificial intelligence are affecting student mental health. Through conversations with students across Pennsylvania, the report found that while social media helps teens stay connected and express themselves, it can also contribute to stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, cyberbullying, sleep disruption, and unhealthy comparison to others.
Students shared that they often feel pressure to stay constantly connected online and admitted that it can be difficult to disconnect because social media is such a large part of their social lives. The report also raises concerns about teens increasingly turning to AI chatbots for emotional support instead of trusted adults or mental health professionals.
The report encourages parents, schools, and communities to work together to support healthy technology habits. Recommendations include setting screen-time boundaries, maintaining open communication with children about online experiences, promoting in-person activities, teaching digital safety skills earlier, and increasing awareness of available mental health resources.