A new survey from Pew Research Center sheds fresh light on the evolving relationship between teenagers, social media, and mental health—revealing a complex mix of concern, ambivalence, and growing skepticism among youth and their parents. As Thai families navigate similar digital landscapes and mental health challenges, understanding these new findings can provide important context, guidance, and food for thought.
The recent Pew study, conducted between September and October 2024, surveyed 1,391 teenagers aged 13-17 and their parents in the United States. It found that concerns about youth mental health continue to rise, with both parents and teens increasingly linking these worries to the pervasive presence of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The findings are particularly relevant for Thailand, where internet and social media penetration among teens is among the highest in Southeast Asia, and public debate has intensified over the psychological well-being of digital natives (see: Pew Research Center).
Background context suggests that digital technology is reshaping adolescence worldwide. Mental health professionals globally, including Thai educators and psychiatrists, have raised alarms about stress, anxiety, and depression among teenagers—often citing increased screen time and online pressures as risk factors. While the COVID-19 pandemic amplified these concerns, the new Pew survey underscores that social media remains a focal point for both anxiety and opportunity.
Key facts emerging from the research highlight nuanced, even contradictory, attitudes. More than half of parents (55%) said they are extremely or very concerned about teen mental health, a level matched by only 35% of teens themselves. Strikingly, girls showed greater anxiety than boys; 42% of girls reported being highly concerned about teen mental health, compared to 28% of boys. Among parents, mothers and those with daughters expressed more worry than fathers and those with sons.
Race and ethnicity also played a role: Black parents and teens showed the highest levels of concern, with 70% of Black parents and half of Black teens indicating they were highly worried about adolescent mental health—much higher than their White and Hispanic counterparts.
When it came to identifying the main threats to well-being, parents laid blame squarely on social media: 44% said it was the largest negative influence, followed by technology in general and bullying. Teens, meanwhile, identified a broader mix of culprits: 22% pointed to social media, with significant numbers citing bullying (17%) and societal pressures (16%). These findings echo the growing awareness in Thai society of cyberbullying, academic competition, and online image pressures—factors repeatedly cited by Thai youth in surveys conducted by the Ministry of Public Health (Source).
The study also explored communication patterns around mental health. While eight in ten parents were comfortable discussing mental health with their teen, only 52% of teens felt the same way. The comfort gap was more pronounced among boys than girls, and among teens speaking with teachers as opposed to friends or therapists. Only 12% of teens said they were comfortable confiding in a teacher, a dynamic also seen in Thailand, where hierarchical school culture often acts as a barrier to open communication about emotional struggles.
Social media as a mental health resource emerged as a double-edged sword. About one-third of teens reported sometimes seeking mental health information on platforms like TikTok—this was more common among girls (40%) than boys (28%), and especially prevalent among Black teens (49%). Of those who turned to social media, a clear majority (63%) considered it an important resource.
Despite this, teens have grown more skeptical about social media’s overall effect. Nearly half (48%) believed these sites mostly harm their peers—a sharp increase from just 32% in 2022. Yet, only 14% felt that social media had a negative impact on their own lives, with 58% reporting a neutral effect. While 19% said social media platforms hurt their mental health, the majority described its impact as neither positive nor negative.
Diving deeper, social media’s effects varied across different aspects of teen life. Far more teens said platforms hurt their sleep (45%) and productivity (40%) than helped. Only about one in five said social media hurt their mental health (19%) or grades (22%), with the largest share again describing the influence as neutral.
Interestingly, social media’s only consistently positive influence lay in the realm of friendships. Thirty percent of respondents said it helped forge or maintain friendships—more than the seven percent who thought it harmed relationships. This mirrors findings in Thai studies showing that, for many young people, online connections are lifelines for social support, especially in the wake of pandemic disruptions (Chulalongkorn University research).
The emotional texture of teens’ social media experiences also stood out. A majority (74%) said these platforms helped them feel connected to friends’ lives, and 63% credited them with enabling creative expression. But significant numbers also reported negatives: 39% felt overwhelmed by social media “drama,” with girls more likely than boys to feel under pressure to post popular content, excluded by friends, or worse about their own lives, reflecting deep gender divides in both the U.S. and Thai contexts.
Racial and ethnic differences impacted the extent of these experiences. Black teens were significantly more likely to find support, acceptance, and creative outlets on social media than their White or Hispanic peers—a nuance that invites deeper examination in countries like Thailand where digital divides exist along lines of urban versus rural access, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
A growing sense of “screen-time overload” emerged as another clear trend. In 2024, 45% of teens in the U.S. said they used social media too much, a significant jump from 27% in 2023. Roughly 44% said they had actively cut back on both social media and smartphone use—an increase from the prior year, and a sign that young people are more aware than ever of the need for digital balance. Thai teenagers, facing similar temptations and pressures, often express such intentions, though actual cutbacks are made difficult by the expectations of constant online availability set by schools, families, and friends.
Expert perspectives suggest that these ambivalent feelings—both connection and anxiety, creativity and pressure—reflect the true complexity of growing up in a digital world. The National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S. stresses the necessity of open dialogue, peer support, and credible sources of information for teen mental health. These recommendations are echoed by Thai child psychologists, who warn that demonizing social media risks alienating teens rather than helping them cultivate healthy digital habits (Interview with Thai Psychiatric Association spokesperson).
A U.S. mother quoted in the Pew report warned of “a fake world of social media that limits them as human beings, distancing them from their family,” while a U.S. teen emphasized that “the overuse of social media in our society seems to be the main cause of depression among those in my age group.” These sentiments serve as cautionary tales for parents, educators, and policymakers in Thailand—but also as an invitation to seek more nuanced approaches.
In a culture like Thailand, rooted in strong family bonds and respect for adults, teens may be less likely to voice mental health struggles, especially online. Mental health stigma remains a formidable barrier to help-seeking in Thai society, even as awareness campaigns and school counseling programs expand. Lessons from the Pew study highlight the need for a supportive environment—at home, in school, and online—where dialogue can occur safely and without judgment.
Looking ahead, the Pew research offers valuable foresight for Thai policymakers and educators. As debate continues over possible regulations on screen time and the role of digital literacy in school curricula, the survey’s findings argue for policies that promote empowerment rather than prohibition. Initiatives to teach critical thinking, responsible online behavior, and digital resilience may yield more sustainable outcomes than outright bans.
For Thai parents, the research underscores the importance of regular, empathetic conversations with their children. Rather than policing social media use, families are encouraged to build trust, discuss potential risks and rewards, and model balanced digital habits. For teenagers themselves, the evidence points to the value of peer support—but also the need to diversify social networks and information sources beyond just online circles.
For schools and policymakers, investing in confidential mental health services, teacher training on adolescent well-being, and inclusive digital literacy programs can make a real difference—especially as teens admit greater comfort speaking to friends or parents rather than educators or counselors. Ensuring that Thai youth have accessible, credible, culturally relevant mental health resources is more critical than ever.
In conclusion, while social media is not inherently good or bad, its impact on teens depends on how, why, and how much it is used. Thai families navigating adolescence in the digital era should seek ongoing, open communication, strive for screen-time balance, and be alert to both the risks and opportunities these platforms bring. By fostering a culture of empathy and digital awareness, Thailand can better prepare its young people to thrive in a digitally connected world.
Sources:
Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media and Mental Health (2025)
Thailand Department of Disease Control
Chulalongkorn University Research
Thai Psychiatric Association