Concerns grow over children's use of social media for self-diagnosis

Social media platforms such as Instagram, X, and TikTok have become prominent sources for learning about mental health topics. However, educators express concern over the ability of children to accurately interpret this information. Hanna Kemble, an elementary school counselor in Kansas, shared her experience with students self-diagnosing mental health issues based on content from platforms like TikTok.

"I have had sixth graders who will come into my office and we’ll be talking about something and they’ll say, ‘Well, yes, because of my anxiety.’ And I'll say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that you were diagnosed with anxiety. Did you go to a doctor and get a diagnosis?’ And they will say, ‘No, I’ve just been watching a lot of TikTok videos and I think that I have anxiety’,” Kemble said.

Counselors nationwide report similar situations where students use social media to diagnose themselves. The issue is compounded by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and unregulated online spaces. A 2024 Common Sense Media report highlights that "at least one in three" young people seek mental health information on sites like YouTube and TikTok.

Jamie Nunez from Common Sense Media noted the ongoing challenge: “There is an epidemic of isolation and loneliness that, post-pandemic, we still haven’t addressed.” He added that the student-to-counselor ratio often limits emotional support availability.

School counselors are essential in developing children's social skills beyond academic guidance. Kemble stated: “Guidance is a bad word... We are invested in empowering them with life skills so we are thinking about social-emotional learning."

Sarah Kirk pointed out that many counselors feel overburdened with tasks outside their primary roles due to high student numbers. The American School Counselor Association suggests a 250:1 student-to-counselor ratio; however, current figures show an average of 385:1 nationally.

Social media can exacerbate emotional challenges among youth by promoting potentially harmful content through algorithms. Nunez explained: “Social media companies do play a role in feeding content to our kids that can be concerning.”

The rise in AI chatbot usage among young people also presents risks due to an "empathy gap," as noted by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Various states have taken steps to curb digital dependence by banning cellphones in schools.

Kemble has embraced AI tools like SchoolAI to assist her work but emphasizes careful implementation: “I think we as educators have to have our own AI literacy.” She uses chatbots for career and academic support while ensuring parental consent and training for safe use.

Nunez stressed the importance of teaching media literacy early on: “We need to teach our kids who’s the creator [of the technology], what’s their expertise... what are they ultimately trying to sell?”

Kirk advocates for integrating yoga into schools as a method for building emotional resilience. Her team has trained numerous educators nationwide in yoga techniques suitable for classroom environments.