Risks and Benefits of Media Use for Depressed Youth

[Dr. Lizzie Winstone] Seeking social connection online is a common motivation for most people to use social media. But for those who might be struggling with their mental health, online forums and peer- peer feedback can be a really important source of support. For those who self-harm however, there can be a risk of self-harm getting normalized through discussions on these forums, a risk that people can learn about new methods of self-harm, and a risk of being inadvertently exposed to triggering material. Passive social media use, so that’s listening to music, watching videos, etcetera is commonly reported as a form of coping with distress or self-harm urges by means of a kind of temporary distraction or escape. Evidence suggests that many young people, but especially those with mental health difficulties, can struggle to self-regulate their social media use. Sometimes describing themselves as feeling “addicted.” It is worth bearing in mind, though, that those with depression may also be more inclined to ruminate or kind of more overestimate their own screen time.