Rebecca Koenig Interim Senior Editorial Director | EdSurge Research
New research from the Pew Research Center highlights differing perspectives between parents and their Gen Z children regarding social media's impact on mental health. The study, conducted in the fall of 2024, surveyed nearly 1,400 teen-parent pairs to understand how both groups perceive social media's influence.
Parents expressed greater concern than teens about mental health issues related to technology. Over half of the parents surveyed were "extremely or very" worried about teen mental health, while only one-third of teens shared this concern. Additionally, 23% of teens reported no worry at all about their generation's mental health, a sentiment twice as prevalent as among parents.
A significant portion of parents, 58%, identified social media and technology as major negative influences on teen mental health. In contrast, only 22% of teens viewed social media as the primary problem. Teens indicated that parents might underestimate the effects of bullying and social expectations.
The study also revealed demographic differences in concerns. Mothers and girls showed more concern than fathers and boys about teen mental health. Black parents and teens were also more worried compared to other groups.
An interesting contradiction emerged: while nearly half of teens acknowledged that social media negatively affects their peers, only 14% felt personally affected. Many admitted that social media impacted their sleep (45%) and productivity (40%), but fewer believed it harmed their academic performance.
Teens generally view their digital interactions positively, seeing them as opportunities for connection and creativity. However, experiences varied by gender and ethnicity. Girls reported feeling both positive and negative effects more strongly than boys. Black teens were more likely to feel supported and creatively inspired by social media compared to white teens.
Despite these connections, the number of teens who felt supported through tough times via social media decreased significantly over two years. Moreover, self-reported excessive use rose from 27% in 2023 to 45% last year.
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