Publication:
Title:
Self-reported social media use by adolescents in Brazil: a school-based survey
Published:
August 9, 2024
Source:
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Volume 46, Pages e20220545
Authors:
Rivka B Pereira, Thais C Martini, Claudia Buchweitz, Renata R Kieling, Helen L Fisher, Brandon Kohrt, Valeria Mondelli, Christian Kieling
Description:
Social media’s influence on psychiatric and neurological conditions is explored, particularly regarding its potential role in both exacerbating and mitigating mental health challenges. The article highlights how social media can contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and depression due to issues like cyberbullying, comparison culture, and misinformation. At the same time, social media platforms can serve as valuable tools for raising awareness about mental health, providing support networks, and delivering mental health interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where traditional resources may be scarce. The authors emphasize the need for balanced approaches that recognize both the risks and benefits of social media, calling for further research into its impact on mental health and the development of guidelines to promote its responsible use. Additionally, the article advocates for integrating social media strategies into mental health care models to better reach vulnerable populations, alongside broader efforts to improve access to care through task-shifting and policy reform.