Rethinking teen social media use: What parents should know about potential benefits

As we celebrate the start of summer vacation, many parents may feel anxious about their teens spending more time on their phones. Recent articles often highlight how popular apps like Instagram and TikTok exacerbate anxiety and undermine self-esteem, painting a bleak picture of our virtual interactions.

This overwhelmingly negative portrayal not only skews public perception but overshadows the potential benefits these digital platforms can offer. While it’s important to acknowledge and address risks, social media can also be valuable to young people. By understanding what’s working, we can better guide teens in navigating these digital landscapes.

As a positive media psychologist, I’ve spent the last decade investigating media’s role in promoting character development, social behavior and well-being. My work has helped me identify the benefits of digital engagement, including strengthened relationships, opportunities for inspiration and personal growth, and has informed my advice to parents and teens on how to interact with social media more responsibly.

Research shows that social media strengthens teen friendships more than it harms them. A 2022 Pew Research study found that 80% of teens (13-17) say social media allows them to be more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives, 67% say these platforms make them feel they have support systems, and more than half (60 percent) report that social media helps them feel accepted. These statistics highlight that teens’ online behavior isn’t merely a passive scroll but a dynamic environment where meaningful interactions occur.

The use of social media has also been shown to enhance personal growth, provide inspiration, promote learning opportunities and spark creativity. 71% of teens say social media gives them a place to show their creative side. Research also shows that young people (18-34) are much more likely than older individuals to describe their online experiences and interactions as positive and, in many cases, feel better when comparing their online lives to those of others.

But the key to creating these positive experiences is content. One of my studies showed that when college students shared inspiring content on social media, they felt more love and compassion toward others over time. In another study, we found that inspiring social media content and online video use were positively related to everyday experiences of gratitude and awe.

However, these findings don’t overshadow the need for parents and teens to take strategic steps to protect themselves. Parental engagement in teens’ digital lives is crucial. My research indicates that teens with parents who understand and participate in their digital lives are more likely to maintain positive social interactions. Parents should monitor their children’s online activities and engage in open discussions about the content they consume and share. By developing their own digital skills, parents can guide their children in making informed decisions.

Curating a healthy digital environment is equally important. The people teens follow on social media play a pivotal role in how they perceive themselves and others. Research from the Sheffield Institute shows that positive outcomes from social comparisons are more likely when teens view content from peers rather than unattainable influencers.

Finally, we must continue to educate teens about the power of content—most importantly in terms of privacy and safety but also in terms of emotional well-being. It’s essential that teens understand that each post and interaction crafts one’s digital footprint and that any content they encounter influences their emotional landscape.

To be clear, I support the efforts by government entities and advocacy groups that aim to mitigate the risks associated with digital consumption for kids. But I encourage parents, policymakers and others to also consider the benefits when making decisions. Using social media with intentionality and emphasizing positive engagement allows parents and teens to transform their digital interactions into sources of support, inspiration and personal growth.

Instead of viewing social media solely as a landscape of potential risks, let’s continue to lessen harm and engage with platforms in ways that allow teens to foster well-being, resilience and character.

Sophie Janicke-Bowles is an associate professor at Chapman University’s School of Communication.