Manado — Social media exposure has a complex relationship with children’s and adolescents’ mental health. This finding was reported by Theresia M D Kaunang, Anita Elizabeth Dundh, Lydia Edmay Viveca David, and Cicilia Pali from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, in a systematic review published in 2026. The review is important as social media has become part of children’s daily lives for communication, learning, self-expression, and social interaction, while its excessive or problematic use has also been associated with depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying.
The rapid development of digital technology has changed the way children communicate, learn, and establish social relationships. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook provide opportunities for young users to interact with peers, obtain information, express themselves, and develop broader social networks.
At the same time, increasing social media exposure has raised concerns about children’s psychological well-being. The review by Kaunang and colleagues shows that the relationship cannot be explained simply by the amount of time children spend online. Individual characteristics, patterns of use, family environments, the quality of online interactions, and the type of content encountered can influence whether social media becomes beneficial or harmful.
The authors conducted a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA 2020 framework. The literature search was carried out between January and March 2026 using five major academic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. The search covered publications from 2019 to 2025 focusing on social media exposure and the mental health of children and adolescents.
The initial search produced 245 records. After 35 duplicate records were removed, 210 studies proceeded to screening. Following title and abstract screening and full-text assessment, only 10 studies met all inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis. The selected studies represented different geographical regions and research designs, including longitudinal studies, surveys, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and narrative reviews.
Depressive symptoms emerged as one of the most consistently reported psychological outcomes. Several studies reviewed by the authors found that higher levels of social media engagement were associated with increased depressive symptoms among children and adolescents. Intensive social media use was also linked to declining psychological well-being over time.
Anxiety was another frequently reported concern. Young users may experience pressure to maintain an active online presence, fear negative judgments from peers, and worry about social acceptance. The Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO, can also increase anxiety when children continuously observe the activities and experiences of others online. The constant flow of notifications and digital content may further contribute to cognitive overload and emotional exhaustion.
Cyberbullying also emerged as an important factor connecting social media use with psychological difficulties. Children exposed to online harassment, verbal abuse, social exclusion, or public humiliation may face greater risks of depression, anxiety, emotional distress, and reduced self-esteem. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can continue across different places and times because harmful messages and content can spread rapidly through digital networks.
Sleep disruption represents another pathway through which social media may affect mental health. Night-time use of smartphones and social media can reduce sleep duration, while stimulating content and online interactions may make it harder for children to fall asleep. The reviewed evidence indicates that poor sleep can subsequently increase vulnerability to depression, anxiety, and emotional difficulties.
However, the review does not characterize social media as inherently harmful. Constructive and balanced digital engagement can also produce positive psychological outcomes. Social media may help children maintain friendships, receive emotional support, express themselves, access information, develop a sense of belonging, and find educational or mental health resources.
Kaunang and colleagues therefore emphasize that the psychological effects of social media depend on how, why, and under what circumstances it is used. Supportive interactions, positive relationships, and educational activities can provide benefits, while excessive use, harmful social comparison, exposure to inappropriate content, and cyberbullying can increase psychological risks.
The findings have implications for parents, schools, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology companies. Parents can support healthier digital habits by monitoring children’s online experiences and maintaining open communication. Schools can strengthen digital literacy and online safety education. Policymakers and technology developers can also strengthen child protection measures, address cyberbullying, and reduce children’s exposure to harmful content.
The authors emphasize that protecting children’s mental health online should go beyond simply limiting screen time. The quality of digital experiences, family support, digital literacy, online interaction, and individual characteristics also need to be considered. A more balanced approach can help maximize the benefits of social media while reducing its potential psychological risks.
The review also highlights the need for further research. Future studies are encouraged to examine the long-term effects of social media exposure while considering age, gender, usage patterns, types of digital content, platform characteristics, parental supervision, family support, and school environments. Longitudinal and cross-cultural research could provide deeper insight into how changing digital technologies influence children’s mental health over time.
Author Profiles
Theresia M D Kaunang — Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sam Ratulangi.
Anita Elizabeth Dundh — Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sam Ratulangi.
Lydia Edmay Viveca David — Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sam Ratulangi.
Cicilia Pali — Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sam Ratulangi.
Research Source
Kaunang, T. M. D., Dundh, A. E., David, L. E. V., & Pali, C. (2026). The Impact of Social Media Exposure on Children's Mental Health in an Increasingly Complex Digital Era. East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (EAJMR), 5(9), 3907–3924.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v5i9.226
Journal link: https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
0 Komentar