How much scrolling is too much?
(Photo credit: Adobe Stock )
Key points
- How screen time affects teen mental health
- Can social media be positive for teens?
- How can parents support their teens to use social media in a healthy way?
How does social media impact teens?
Social media has become a defining part of adolescent life –shaping relationships, identity, wellbeing, and daily routines.
With Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 now in place, many parents may think social media is a future problem.
But questions remain. When children do start using social media, what impact will it have on them and how can parents safeguard their teens?
How screen time affects teen mental health
Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has extensively researched how screen time affects young people.
His findings show that as discretionary screen use increases, mental wellbeing often declines.
“Teens report lower life satisfaction, especially when exposed to emotionally charged platform features (endless scrolling and fixation on likes,” Dr Khan said.
“These can intensify worry, low mood and stress, especially when exposure exceeds a few hours daily.”
Importantly, Dr Khan emphasises that there is no universal threshold for harm.
“What really matters is how teens use screens, the content they see, and whether there’s a healthy balance of sleep, physical activity, and offline relationships,” Dr Khan said.
“Signs that social media use may be harming a teen include irritability, mood changes, withdrawal, distress after being online, and sleep issues.”
The psychological risks of social media
From a psychological standpoint, Associate Professor Michael Noetel from UQ’s School of Psychology explains that social media shows consistent associations with harm and no clear benefits.
“Teens often see idealised “highlight reels” of others, which can create unrealistic standards, shame, and insecurity,” Dr Noetel said.
“Research points to small links between social media use and depression, risky behaviour, cyberbullying, body image issues, unhealthy social comparison and exposure to harmful content.
“Teens who are already struggling emotionally, such as feeling anxious, lonely, or socially isolated, are more likely to turn to screens as a coping mechanism."
Dr Khan agrees that online environments can amplify pressure to present an idealised version of oneself.
“This matters because identity formation is closely linked to acceptance and perceived social status, and algorithmic amplification can overemphasise appearance, popularity metrics, and extreme content, distorting perceptions of what is normal or valued,” he said.
Teens who have experienced trauma, have limited support, or belong to minority groups may also be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of social media use.
What about the impact on physical health and wellbeing?
Physical activity, quality sleep, and a healthy diet are the foundations of good health and wellbeing.
However, Australian research shows many teens aren’t getting the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep, with screens, stress, and routines playing a big role.
“Too much screen use can mean less sport and outdoor play, which is why the scientific community recommends limiting recreational screen use and keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight,” Dr Khan said.
“Diet can be affected too, as more scrolling often goes hand in hand with mindless snacking, exposure to food advertising and less time for regular meals.
“When scrolling replaces movement and sleep, teens can experience downstream effects on mood regulation, energy, attention and healthy routines.”
Can social media be positive for teens?
Professor Alina Morawska, Director of UQ’s Parenting and Family Support Centre, notes that social media can play a powerful role in shaping teenagers’ identity and sense of belonging. “Social media can offer genuine opportunities for friendship maintenance, creative expression, information seeking, and connection, particularly for teens who feel isolated offline,” Professor Morawska said.
“The challenge lies in supporting teens to access these benefits without exposing them to undue harm.”
As Dr Noetel points out, many of the benefits of social media can be replicated elsewhere, for instance chatting with friends over facetime or playing online video games together.
“It’s not that all teenagers would be harmed,” Dr Noetel said.
“For a teenager who maintains close real-world relationships and uses social media in moderation, the benefits for them might outweigh the risks.
“But the harm to most adolescents seems to be high enough that it doesn’t offset the benefits to those who get them.”
How can parents support their teens to use social media in a healthy way?
Dr Khan recommends focusing not on strict limits alone, but on healthy use patterns. His strategies include:
- Protecting sleep by keeping devices out of bedrooms at night
- Switching off nonessential notifications
- Curating feeds to minimise comparison triggers
- Encouraging active, purposeful engagement over passive scrolling
- Regularly checking in on how online interactions make teens feel
Dr Noetel encourages parents to stay connected to the online world their teens inhabit.
“Talk openly and take interest… we’re trying to make ourselves someone they can come to if something upsets them,” Dr Noetel said.
“Screens are not likely to be the whole problem, and support from GPs, youth services, or psychologists may sometimes be necessary.”
Professor Morawska also stresses the importance of starting conversations early to help guide teens toward responsible, balanced use before they gain full access at 16.
“Parents can demonstrate how they are using social media in a way that is intentional, responsible and limited,” she said.
“For example, parents can talk to their teens about what they are using social media for and how.
“They can also discuss problematic content that they have come across and show how they have responded to it.”
Ultimately, social media isn’t inherently good or bad, but the way teens use it and the way families support them, matters immensely.
For most adolescents, the goal isn’t abstinence, but balance.
Healthier feeds, kinder communities, and stronger offline anchors in sport, hobbies, friendships, and family connection.