How Social Media Affects Brain Development 

Anjani Srinivasan, email2anjanis@gmail.com

June 2nd, 2025

Edited by the YNPS Publications Team.

I. Introduction 

This research paper aims to inform students, parents, and young people about the detrimental effects of social media on our cognitive abilities and brain development. Understanding the underlying impacts of social media can help raise awareness about important social and health-related issues, such as mental health disorders, isolation, etc. 

II. Objectives 

– Examine the relationship between social media usage and mental well-being. 

– Explore key factors that help establish a clear balance for social media usage to limit impacts. 

  – Identify different parts of the cognitive system that are impacted through social media usage. 

– Investigate how teenagers view social media and how they perceive its effects. 

III. Methodology 

This mixed research paper contains both quantitative and qualitative data from various credible, digital resources, in addition to volunteer-sourced data. Statistical analysis examines the relationship between brain development and social media. 

IV. Expected Results 

Positive associations between increased social media usage and increased neural dysfunction have been found. This research contributes to empirical evidence on how social media engagement may negatively impact brain function.  

V. Research 

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the suicide rate increased among young teenage girls aged 12-17 by 50%. Univer (2021) found that mid-teen girls are 2x likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Excessive social media usage and/or exposure to social media platforms at a young age leads to neurological disturbances in adolescents. According to a recent study by Fishman (2023), “Researchers found that kids who habitually check social media had changes in parts of the brain that control social rewards and punishment.” (Fishman, p. 1). This suggests that frequent social media usage may alter neural pathways related to social feedback, potentially making adolescents more susceptible to validation and criticism. As a result, the consequence is the possible imbalance of self-esteem and emotional regulation. In the long run, it has proven to alter the processes of rewards and consequences as well. In this referenced study, “the amygdala, one of the emotional centers of the brain, was preferentially affected” (Fishman, p. 2). To contribute to this data, an individual noted that “Personally, no one in my immediate family really uses social media. There are some positive aspects like networking, but in modern day, I think the magnitude of this one benefit is really overinflated. I’ve seen that this generation is obviously affected by social media, people openly admit to having low attention spans, low self-esteem, depression, bad habits, and to being addicted to social media.”. Their perspective reflects a growing concern that while social media provides networking opportunities, its harmful effects on mental health and cognitive function often outweigh its benefits. These personal observations align with research indicating that excessive social media use can lead to increased anxiety, impulsivity, and dependency on online validation. From reduced attention spans to increased susceptibility to anxiety and low self-esteem, research highlights both the neurological and behavioral consequences of social media overuse. While social media offers benefits such as networking and communication, its long-term effects on brain function raise concerns about its role in adolescent development. 

VI. Conclusion 

This research paper identifies some of the more common issues social media imposes on the development of the human brain. Understanding these impacts is crucial for raising awareness among students, parents, and educators about promoting healthier social media habits. By investigating this association, the paper serves as a study that was developed from standardized digital resources.

Citations

Berger, J. (2021, October 21). We can solve teen girls’ social media crisis. here’s how. – about-face. About. https://about-face.org/we-know-social-media-hurts-girls-now-what/?gad_source=1&g clid=Cj0KCQiA8fW9BhC8ARIsACwHqYqnI5KV467v1q2QMReAjiS8a00CaaW1nP t9BayV5WCGpz031C9biM4aAtJSEALw_wcB 

Fishman, L. (2025, January 27). How social media use affects adolescent brain development. NewYork-Presbyterian. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-social-media-use-affects-adolescent-brain-develop ment/