Social media gets blamed for everything these daysâwrecking our attention spans, turning us into screen-addicted zombies, and ruining family dinners (looking at you, TikTok). But believe it or not, itâs not all bad news. In fact, when used the right way, social media can actually have a positive effect on your mental health. From finding people who share your weird hobbies and soaking up hilarious memes that brighten your day to creating a platform for social advocacy and delivering crucial telehealth services to vulnerable communities, these platforms can boost your mood and help you feel less alone. So, before you throw your device out the window, letâs dive into the frequently overlooked positive effects of social media on mental health.
Social Media and Mental Health: The Current Landscape
Today, many of us rely on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to connect with each other, do our shopping, get the daily news or even earn a living.
Engaging with social media every day is considered the new normal in our modern world, but concerns about the impact on our mental health remain.
In late 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm on social mediaâs impact on young peopleâs mental health, releasing an advisory called Social Media and Youth Mental Health. Not long after, the American Psychological Association (APA) jumped in with their own warning. By June 2024, Dr Murthy took things up a notch, calling for social media platforms to come with a surgeon generalâs warning label.
But for every recent example of the negative impact of social media on mental health, there are ones that refute these concerns or call the correlation between the platforms and increased rates of anxiety, depression or issues with attention span into question.
A new study from Curtin University in Australia is shaking up the idea that heavy social media use harms mental health, revealing little to no connection between the two.
Researchers went to the source, unlike previous studies that relied on self-reported participant estimates. They analysed mobile phone data from over 400 people aged 17 to 53 to get an accurate picture of their social media usage over the past week.
They compared this data with participantsâ levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and attentional control. The findings? Social media use had a very weak link to anxiety and no connection at all to depression or stress. Interestingly, they also found a slight positive link between social media use and attentional control, suggesting that spending more time online might actually help people stay more focused.
Study lead and PhD candidate Chloe Jones stressed that the findings donât mean social media is completely harmless or has no effect on mental health. Rather, the relationship between the two is likely complex, with multiple factors at play.
The above are just two examples in the sea of social media research, and the discussion remains ongoing. But the consensus at this point regarding the pros and cons of social media on mental health seems to be that knowledge, particularly self-knowledge, is power. In other words, using social media responsibly and determining what this looks like to each individual is the key.
Why Social Media is Good for Mental Health
From creating awareness and addressing stigma to making healthy lifestyle changes and keeping people connected, here are some of the reasons why social media can be good for mental health:
Using Social Media to Promote Mental Health Awareness
Social media started out as a way to rank the âhotnessâ of your female classmates, share photos of lattes or watch Jeffree Starr teach you how to use lip exfoliants. Theyâve since evolved into sophisticated platforms crucial to disseminating information about issues like mental health awareness.
Itâs never been easier for people to share helpful information, start conversations, and connect others to resources like hotlines or therapy options. Campaigns, hashtags, and influencers can make mental health topics more visible, while online communities provide support and a sense of belonging.
And the numbers speak for themselves.
As of early 2025, TikTok videos with the hashtag #mentalhealth have accumulated over 21 billion views. And thatâs not counting #anxiety, which has almost 11 billion views, or #adhd, with close to 9 billion.
TikTok has also become a platform for thousands of healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists, and mental health advocates. They use the appâs widespread reach to talk to audiences about everything from depression to couples counselling techniques. Evan Lieberman, a licensed social worker known as Evan the Counselor to his more than 1 million followers on TikTok and Jeff Guenther, aka TherapyJeff, a licensed professional counsellor with over 2.5 million followers.
Todayâs consumers donât just want brands to be aware of social issuesâthey expect them to take action and make a positive impact (with a social media strategy to match). Doveâs 2024 âReal Cost of Beauty Idealsâ campaign addressed the issue of repeated exposure to unrealistic beauty standards. In the accompanying short film on YouTube, we see the toll it takesâbody dissatisfaction, disordered eating, health struggles, and family conflict.
Dove isnât just raising awareness; theyâre providing real support. The campaign includes links to a petition, mental health resources, a confidential text-in line, and connections to support services. Itâs a powerful, heartfelt initiative to build self-esteem and push back against toxic beauty culture.
By making expert advice accessible, promoting mental health resources and encouraging open discussions, social media can help reduce stigma and make it easier for people to get the help they need.
Positive Effects of Social Media on Self-Esteem
We know thereâs a difference between the polished, picture-perfect version of life people share on social media and the messy, real-life moments they actually experience. However, daily exposure to perfectly curated content from both micro and macro influencers can leave a person feeling less than others, particularly when it comes to beauty standards.
When used thoughtfully, social media can have a positive impact on self-esteem. It provides a space for people to express themselves, share their achievements, and showcase their unique identities, which can boost confidence.
Supportive interactions, such as kind comments or messages from friends and followers, can help individuals feel valued and appreciated and is one of the often overlooked benefits of social media on mental health.
Social media also fosters connections with like-minded people and inspiring role models, creating a sense of community and belonging. By engaging with uplifting content and nurturing meaningful connections, users can harness social media as a tool to promote a healthier self-image and improve overall mental well-being.
Relieve Social Isolation with New Communication Pathways
Human beings are social creatures; we need connections and relationships with others to thrive.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of additional mental health challenges, not the least of which is social isolation. Desperate to feel connected to friends, family and even our co-workers, people turned to social media platforms. Facebook users went up 8.7% to approximately 1.9 billion worldwide by the end of 2020. WhatsApp reported a 40% surge, and Zoom a whopping 300% that same year.
The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, but the legacy of social media’s vital role in relieving social isolation remains.
Social media allows users to stay in touch with loved ones, join communities, and find support from like-minded people. Engaging in conversations, virtual events, or group chats can create a sense of belonging.
Just look at the recent response to the ongoing attempt to ban TikTok in the United States.
As the original January 19th, 2025 deadline for the TikTok ban approached, many American users migrated to the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, often referred to as “RedNote.” On January 14, the platform soared to the top of the U.S. Apple Store, gaining over 700,000 new users. In response, Chinese users embraced this new community and created more English-language content to welcome the so-called “TikTok refugees.”
Still wondering if social media is good for mental health? When used positively, it can make the world feel less lonely.
Inspire healthy lifestyle changes
Social media can be a great source of motivation for living a healthier lifestyle. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are full of fitness challenges, easy meal ideas, and wellness tips that make healthy habits feel more doable.
Watching others share their progressâwhether itâs a new workout routine, simple meal prep, or mindfulness practicesâcan inspire people to make small, positive changes in their own lives. Plus, supportive online communities and health-focused influencers offer encouragement and advice, helping people stay motivated and on track with their wellness goals.
Thereâs actually a name for this psychological impact of social media: positive emotional contagion. Emotional contagion happens when one personâs feelings and actions influence those around them, causing others to experience and express similar emotions, and social media acts as the perfect vessel.
Sharing your goals publicly on social media can spread motivationâwhen people see your commitment, it inspires them to pursue their own ambitions. Encouragement from others creates a cycle of energy, turning one personâs drive into a group effort. Research also shows that publicly sharing a goal boosts accountability, improves focus, and significantly increases the chances of successâwhether itâs weight loss, sobriety, or overcoming addiction.
Social Media, Medical Research and Mental Health
Social media gives healthcare and mental health professionals a powerful way to reach more people and connect with others in their field. A 2023 survey found that 32% of social media users in the U.S. followed therapists and mental health professionals for advice and support. About 25% said they follow people who share the same mental health condition, looking for relatable experiences. Another 20% followed mental health advocates and brands for helpful content and resources.
Beyond individual professionals, social media is a game-changer for mental health campaigns. Local initiatives can use Instagram to spread awareness about suicide prevention or TikTok to break the stigma with personal stories and expert advice, making mental health support more accessible than ever before.
The Positive Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
Social media isnât perfect, but when used intentionally, it can be a powerful force for good when it comes to mental health. It helps break stigma, connects people with support, and creates communities where people feel seen and heard. Like anything, balance is key. Social media can help us feel more connected, supported, and inspired in an increasingly digital world by being mindful of how we use it and focusing on positive, meaningful interactions.
