Health Benefits of Social Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults

Purpose of Review: Although attention has increased on the negative aspects of social media use in adolescents and young adults, social media can have health benefits. This review explores positive health aspects of social media and delivers guidance to clinicians on how to balance attention to the negatives and positives of social media use. Recent Findings: Recent findings show social media can play an important role in social connection and identity development in adolescents and young adults. The platforms are also important for mental health support and accessing health information. Summary: Clinicians should have open-ended conversations with adolescents and young adults to understand their social media use patterns. They can use the American Academy of Pediatrics 5 Cs of media use and the family media plan to guide conversations on social media use.

Jason M. Nagata, Oliver Huang, Jacqueline O. Hur, Elizabeth J. Li, Christiane K. Helmer, Emily Weinstein, Megan A. Moreno