50+ Alarming Social Media and Mental Health Statistics [2025]

In recent years, social media usage has skyrocketed, with over 4.6 billion users worldwide as of 2024. 

While these platforms offer connectivity and information, they also pose significant risks to mental health. 

Studies have proven that social media use is directly associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. And nearly 40% of adults admit that social media makes them feel lonely or isolated.

Let’s dive deep into it!

General social media & mental health statistics

According to the latest statistics, 73% of young adults (18-24) believe that social media negatively affects their mental health. Do you agree too?

Over 50% of teenagers report feeling anxious or depressed after using social media.

More than 60% of Gen Z users believe social media does more harm than good.

Excessive social media use is linked to a 66% increase in depression among teenagers. And the people who spend over 3 hours per day on social media are twice as likely to experience mental health issues.

Nearly 40% of adults admit social media makes them feel lonely or isolated.

32% of users report experiencing social media fatigue, which leads to burnout and stress.

Social media and mental health demographics- who is affected the most?

91% of teens (ages 13-17) use social media daily for more than 3 hours on average. .

The gender statistics have revealed that girls are 20% more likely than boys to feel negative effects from social media.

Older adults (50+) are least affected, with only 15% reporting social media-related stress.

Teenagers who use social media excessively are twice as likely to feel socially isolated.

An average user spends over 6 years of their life on social media.

Is it true that Social media is behind the alarming increase in anxiety & depression?

Absolutely! The social media-induced stress affects 1 in 3 users worldwide.

30% of people have said that social media makes them feel more anxious about their lives.

It is concerning to know that the teens who use social media for over 5 hours daily are 2.8 times more likely to develop depression.

Looking specifically at the female data, we found that teen girls who spend excessive time on social media have a 50% higher risk of depression.

Cyberbullying increases depression rates by 70% among affected teens.

Studies have shown a 27% rise in depression among heavy social media users.

40% of users feel inadequate after comparing their lives to curated online content.

How does social media affect sleep patterns?

Data suggests that social media negatively impacts your sleep cycle in so many ways. Here’s a closer look at the numbers:

1. 78% of people use social media before bed which leads to disrupted sleep patterns.
2. Late-night scrolling, “doom scrolling” increases the risk of insomnia by 45%.
3. Heavy social media users sleep 1 hour less per night than those who limit screen time.
4. 60% of users accepted that social media keeps them up at night and reduces their sleep quality.
5. Are you aware of the importance of melatonin in quality sleep? Blue light exposure from screens reduces melatonin production by 55%.
6. Students who use social media excessively have lower academic performance due to sleep deprivation.

Social media addiction statistics

1 in 4 people have agreed that they feel addicted to social media.

Did you know that, on average, young adults check their phones over 150 times per day?

Social media addiction has been found to be affecting 210 million people worldwide.

59% of users feel uncomfortable when they don’t have access to social media.

People spend an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes daily on social media platforms.

Neurological studies have also suggested that social media addiction is linked to increased stress and lower life satisfaction.

Cyberbullying & harassment on social platforms

Cybercrimes are increasing at an alarming rate with 60% of teens agreeing that they have experienced cyberbullying on social media. On top of that, 1 in 3 daily users has witnessed online hate speech in the past year.

The victims of online harassment are 2X as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

Social media harassment cases have increased by 40% since 2020.

Do you suffer the worst of the worst? 43% of LGBTQ+ users report experiencing cyberbullying on social media.

Best ways to reduce social media’s impact on mental health

• #1 technique that experts suggest is limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day reduces anxiety and depression by 35%.
• People who take social media detoxes report higher levels of happiness and improved mental clarity.
• Disabling notifications can decrease social media-induced stress by 25%.
• Engaging in offline hobbies reduces the negative effects of social media by 40%.

Conclusion

Social media is deeply woven into daily life, which influences mental health in ways both positive and negative. While it offers connection, entertainment, and information, excessive use can lead to stress, anxiety, and even addiction. Younger users, especially teenagers, are the most affected, spending hours online and experiencing heightened emotional responses.

Whether you're a casual user, a parent, or a mental health advocate. So be aware of these trends with our latest statistics and make informed choices.

FAQs

Sources

1. Wikipedia. Digital media use and mental health
2. The Times. Social media is too toxic and addictive, say Gen Z
3. The guardian.com. Why our children need a digital detox - and how outdoor experiences can help
4. The guardian.com. Mental health crisis 'means youth is no longer one of happiest times of life'
5. The Courier Mail. Lockdown Kids. How To Break a Generation
6. National Center for Health Research. Social Media and Adolescents' and Young Adults' Mental Health
7. McLean Hospital. Here's How Social Media Affects Your Mental Health
8. WHO. Teens, screens and mental health