Risks and Benefits of Social Media on Adolescent Health

Adolescents increasingly construct aspects of their identity and form relationships by interacting on social media; yet, clinical frameworks lag behind technological change. This review synthesizes recent evidence on how platform design, usage patterns, and individual differences influence both benefits and harms. Problematic use is associated with sleep disturbance, mood and attention disorders, body image concerns, cyberbul-lying, and exposure to self-harm content, with disproportionate burdens for female patients and youth who are marginalized. Meanwhile, online communities can foster connection, coping, and help seeking, particularly for adolescents facing stigma or isolation. We propose a structured, developmentally informed workflow incorporating brief screening, targeted use of validated tools, and collaborative family media planning. Rather than centering total screen time, we emphasize function-focused, harm-reduction approaches to harness digital platforms as a tool for adolescent health.