Social Media and Youth
Contents provided by Community Health Promotion Services, Recovery Alberta
Benefits and Risks
Risks
- Exposure to age-inappropriate or violent content
- Negative impact of media multitasking
- Higher recreational use associated to higher depression and lower PA
- Social isolation, loneliness
- Cyberbullying
- Poor mental health
- Maintain relationships with friends and family
- Connect with different networks
- Express views and creativity
- Co-viewing benefits
- Improve academic performance
- Lowers depression with recreational time
How is social media related to mental health?
- Misconceptions of Life and Appearances
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
- Isolation
- Depression / Anxiety
- Cyberbullying
- Self-Absorption
Social media trends in Canada
Digital use in Alberta
Site teens wouldn’t want to live without, 2021
Healthy Social Media Use
What can we do?
- Have guided access to apps – sync
- Explore together and talk! – what are posts and filters?
- Sign up for cyber tips alerts
- Turn off location or geotagging – security and privacy
- Try it out and ask other parents
- Talk to your child’s teachers – advocate for digital literacy plan
- Model behavior around technology – can you go without it? Give it a try!
Resources
Common Sense Media
Media Smarts
Government of Alberta
Resources (alberta.ca): Resources on digital technology: Fact for youth and Tips for parents
Alberta Health Services
Youth & Digital Technology | Alberta Health Services
Toolkit for gaming, social media, gambling (Prevalence, trends, strategies and resources)
Community Education Services
Community Education Service (hmhc.ca)
Experts in the community on a range of topics
Mental Health Literacy
Mental Health Literacy: Mental Health Literacy
Parenting your teen: Parenting Your Teen – Mental Health Literacy
If you would like to learn more, or to request this health sessions, please contact us.
Disclaimer: This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an “as is”, “where is” basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use. Last updated August 2026.