Ranking Member Mike Lee Releases Research on Instagram’s Mental Health Impacts for Teen Girls

WASHINGTON—Today, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, released new research finding that time spent on social media is linked in a significant way to depression and self-harm for teen girls.

The study notes that teen mental health has been declining for more than a decade, especially among girls. It also warns that, for teen girls, social media use is associated with significantly higher likelihoods of depression and self-harm.

Policymakers could consider redirecting existing funding streams to investigate social media’s mental health impacts on children. Families, teachers, and community leaders should take precautions to keep children safe online.

Click here to read the findings and recommendations.

The Joint Economic Committee is Congress’s bicameral economic research center and home of the Social Capital Project, led by Ranking Member Mike Lee.

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