For many Pennsylvania teenagers, logging off social media isn’t really an option.
It’s where they talk to friends. It’s how they make plans. It’s how they keep up. But the platforms that are shaping their everyday lives are also harming their mental health.
That reality is at the center of a new report released by the state Attorney General’s office last month. The report, based on conversations with 160 students from 35 schools, found that social media use is nearly universal among teenagers, with 95% of US teens using at least one platform and nearly half saying they are online “almost constantly.”
The findings highlight a troubling connection: Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media face almost double the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms.
“This is not just about individual responsibility,” said Dave Sunday, state Attorney General. “It’s about making sure the systems young people are using every day are safer, more transparent, and built with their well-being in mind.”
‘We’re stuck’
Teens who participated in the report’s teenTALK roundtables said social media is both essential and overwhelming.
“We know it’s not great but it’s just too hard to stop. We’re stuck,” one student said.
Social media fuels constant comparison, with posts creating pressure to “measure up” in appearance, lifestyle, and social status, teens said. Even when they know content is unrealistic, the emotional impact remains.
Others said cyberbullying and misinformation were major concerns, describing platforms where “people will say things online that they would never say to your face.”
Designed to keep teens hooked
A central theme of the report is that these harms are not accidental. Features like algorithm-driven feeds, endless scrolling, and engagement metrics can keep teens hooked and expose them to increasingly extreme content.
Teens themselves have noticed it. One teen said, “Once you watch one thing, it just keeps feeding you more.”
Sunday said tech companies need to take responsibility for these design choices, including limiting algorithm-driven recommendations for minors, removing harmful content faster, and reducing features that encourage compulsive use.
AI replacing real support
In addition to concerns over social media, the report also highlighted the growing concern about teens turning to artificial intelligence for emotional support.
Nearly one in 10 teens use AI to talk through mental health concerns, while some rely on it instead of seeking help from adults or professionals. According to the report, chatbots can reinforce harmful thinking, miss warning signs, and create a false sense of connection, which could discourage teens from pursuing real world help.
Stronger regulations needed
The report suggests a series of recommendations for tech companies and state lawmakers, including:
- Stronger age verification requirements
- Limits on harmful algorithmic features
- Greater transparency about how platforms operate
- Increased protections and safeguards for minors
Sunday said the goal is not to eliminate social media, but to create safer digital spaces for teens.
“Supporting teen mental health is not just a priority, it’s a responsibility we all share,” Sunday said.
