Social media use linked to increased mental health risks in teens, especially ages 12-13
Consensus Summary
Two Australian news outlets report on a decade-long study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute linking heavy social media use (≥2 hours/day) to modest increases in depressive symptoms and poorer mental health among teens, particularly girls aged 12–13. The research, published in the *Medical Journal of Australia*, found that for every 100 girls in this age group using social media for ≥2 hours daily, there were ~11 additional cases of high depressive symptoms one year later compared to peers using it <1 hour/day. Boys showed a smaller but similar effect (~7 additional cases per 100). The study’s lead author, Dr. Nandi Vijayakumar, attributed the risks to early adolescence being a period of rapid brain development, heightened sensitivity to peer feedback, and limited emotional regulation skills. Both sources agree the findings support early intervention but note the risks persist beyond age 13, suggesting age-based bans alone may not suffice. Critics argue Australia’s under-16 social media ban has failed, with ~70% of teens still accessing platforms like Snapchat and TikTok. The study’s limitations—including self-reported data, lack of platform specificity, and failure to distinguish active/passive use—were highlighted by experts, who called for more granular research to identify harmful online behaviors.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute followed almost 1,200 Melbourne school students aged 9–19 from 2015–2021, finding that those who spent ≥2 hours/day on social media had a small increased risk of depressive symptoms and poorer wellbeing one year later.
- The strongest effects were observed in girls aged 12–13, with ~11 additional cases of high depressive symptoms per 100 girls using ≥2 hours/day compared to <1 hour/day.
- Boys aged 12–13 using ≥2 hours/day showed ~7 additional cases of high depressive symptoms per 100 boys compared to <1 hour/day.
- The study was published in the *Medical Journal of Australia* and led by Dr. Nandi Vijayakumar (MCRI/Deakin University) and Prof. Susan Sawyer (MCRI).
- Australia’s under-16 social media ban (launched ~Dec 2025) has been ineffective, with ~70% of banned teens still accessing accounts via platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.
- The study did not distinguish between active/passive social media use or specific platforms (e.g., YouTube was not classified as social media in the research).
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Dr. Daniel Angus (QUT) noted self-reported social media use is inaccurate due to social stigma, and 'time spent' metrics ignore context (e.g., nature documentaries vs. bullying exposure).
- The Australian Media Uses Report (QUT, 2026) found people exclude YouTube from their definition of 'social media.'
- Western Sydney University research (May 2026) showed teens losing social media access also lost primary news sources.
- Experts cautioned against treating social media as a monolithic 'amorphous blob,' emphasizing granular data is needed to identify harmful vs. benign uses.
- Teen participant Lauren Linton (now 18) described bullying on Snapchat during COVID-19 lockdowns, including exclusion from group chats, which worsened her anxiety.
- Teen participant Kyra Prosser (18) said social media became essential for staying connected during the pandemic and now uses it for planning social meetings.
- Project Rockit’s Daniel Donahoo argued teens are more self-aware about social media risks than studies suggest, comparing their digital literacy to climate change/AI awareness.
- eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant criticized the ban as poorly drafted and said she was 'not really keen' on it, though she did not oppose it outright.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states the study categorized 'high' usage as >2 hours/day, while *The Age* implies 2.5 hours/day is the norm for most adolescents without explicitly defining 'high' usage thresholds.
- The ABC emphasizes the study found 'small increased risk' and avoided causal claims, whereas *The Age* frames the findings as 'worrying' and highlights 'sharp' risks for 12–13-year-olds.
- The ABC notes boys aged 12–13 showed a higher increase in self-harming behaviors than girls, while *The Age* does not explicitly quantify this difference beyond stating it exists.
- The ABC cites under-reporting of screen time as a limitation, but *The Age* does not mention this specific issue in its summary of study weaknesses.
Source Articles
High social media use linked to 'small' increase in depressive symptoms in teens
A decade-long study following almost 1,200 Melbourne school students finds a "small increased risk" of depressive symptoms for teenagers using social media at least two hours a day.
Young teens risk mental health harm after one year of social media use
A study that tracked teenagers for a decade found a decline in their wellbeing from time online – but it also provides a critical window for intervention.