How Much Is Social Media to Blame for Teens' Declining Mental Health?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a rollercoaster: Every time it looked like it was over, the virus would come roaring back. The impact was especially acute for teens, who found themselves in online school, missing out on social activities, and facing the uncertainty of what might happen next. What effect did the pandemic have on teen mental health? Based on a representative survey from spring 2021, the CDC found that a stunning 44% of American teens said they felt sad or hopeless during the last year.

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