Children’s Mental Health in the Digital Age

It’s clear: many children are not doing well, and they seem to recognize it.

In a time when Americans often find it hard to agree on issues, one point of consensus among Gen Z stands out—social media significantly impacts their happiness and overall well-being.

This sentiment resonates strongly with Harry Zilberman, a senior at Aspen High School in Colorado. Feeling concerned, she decided to investigate further. Zilberman surveyed 1,084 teenage girls across the U.S., seeking to validate her belief that navigating life online is taking a serious toll on her peers.

What she discovered was disheartening. About 60% of respondents expressed feelings of daily overwhelm and anxiety. Furthermore, nearly half—48.6%—had contemplated self-harm in the past six months.

“That really hit home for me. It’s happening to so many girls I see every day, in class or at lunch,” Zilberman remarked.

She added, “I’ve noticed self-harm scars on friends’ wrists. There are discussions about mental health that often go unheard. This really highlights how many individuals conceal their struggles.”

She’s trying to raise awareness among parents, noting, “There’s a significant chance that one of your kids is affected.”

This concern is echoed by parents closely watching a pivotal trial in Los Angeles. A 20-year-old girl, identified as KGM, is suing Meta and Google, arguing that their platforms are deliberately harmful to children. TikTok and Snapchat have previously reached settlements regarding similar claims.

Among concerned parents is Victoria Hincks, who shared her tragic story of her daughter, Alexandra, who took her life at the age of 16 in 2024. Hincks believes that social media’s pervasive negativity contributed to her daughter’s struggles.

“Looking at her phone, I can’t help but think how much what she saw normalized depression and even glamorized suicide,” Hincks explained, reflecting on the influence of pressures like unrealistic beauty standards.

Zilberman and her peers recognize the detrimental consequences social media has on their lives. “So many say they dislike TikTok, yet they can’t bring themselves to delete it, which is alarming,” she noted.

Recently, Zilberman removed TikTok and Instagram from her devices and is encouraging her friends to follow suit. However, she acknowledges the challenge, as kids today have become increasingly reliant on their phones and social media—a central point in the ongoing KGM trial, despite both companies denying any wrongdoing.

Still, Zilberman maintains a hopeful outlook: “I believe kids who want to make a change can. Teenagers do have the power to take control.”

This spirit of optimism is part of a growing grassroots effort aimed at educating families and schools about the risks associated with a digital upbringing. Yet, it’s crucial to avoid a fatalistic narrative that reduces children to mere victims of technology.

We should empower young people to take breaks from their screens. Whether through parents reducing their own social media usage or schools implementing phone bans, it’s vital to support kids in this effort.

Interestingly, initiatives are sprouting up—from phone-free events in New York City to young creators developing apps targeting porn addiction and encouraging screen time limits.

Zilberman shared that since unplugging, her life has improved dramatically. “I feel more productive. I’m spending quality time with family and friends, and I’ve started noticing the world around me more,” she said. “I keep telling everyone—your life will improve.”