Social Media Use in Adolescents: Bans, Benefits, and Emotion Regulation Behaviors

Kelsey L. McAlister, Clare C. Beatty, Jacqueline E. Smith-Caswell, Jacqlyn L. Yourell, Jennifer L. Huberty

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Social media is an integral part of adolescents’ daily lives, but the significant time they invest in social media has raised concerns about the effect on their mental health. Bans and severe restrictions on social media use are quickly emerging as an attempt to regulate social media use; however, evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Adolescents experience several benefits from social media, including increased social connection, reduced loneliness, and a safe space for marginalized groups (eg, LGBTQ+) to interact. Rather than enforcing bans and severe restrictions, emotion regulation should be leveraged to help adolescents navigate the digital social environment. This viewpoint paper proposes a nuanced approach toward regulating adolescent social media use by (1) discontinuing the use of ineffective bans, (2) recognizing the benefits social media use can have, and (3) fostering emotion regulation skills in adolescents to encourage the development of self-regulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere64626
JournalJMIR Mental Health
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • adolescent
  • adolescent social media
  • behavioral health
  • digital health
  • digital literacy
  • emotion regulation
  • media use
  • mental health
  • self-regulation
  • social media bans
  • social network
  • social platform
  • technology
  • youth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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