Social Media Engagement, Mental Well-Being, and Digital Citizenship Among U.S. Youth: A Review

Abstract

In the United States, social media is a defining aspect of adolescence, and over nine out of 10 youth aged 13–17 report using at least one of the major platforms at least once a day. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, national survey data and policy reports that have been published up to 2022, this review explores the three interrelated dimensions of youth online life: patterns of social media engagement, associations between social media use and mental well-being, and the evolution of digital citizenship. The results are suggestive of a complex, non-linear relationship between screen use and outcomes to psychological functioning, dependent on active versus passive use, platform affordances, individual vulnerability and social context. Overall, cyberbullying, upward social comparison and problematic use are consistently associated with increased depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas identity exploration, peer support and civic participation are consistently associated with protective factors when engaged in purposefully and competently. A unified framework of digital citizenship is suggested, comprising a set of skills related to online safety, ethics, critical media literacy and civic engagement, and bringing together the psychological and civic aspects of young people's use of the internet. The review highlights methodological weaknesses, such as the use of a cross-sectional, self-report design, and recommends further studies, including longitudinal studies, platform-specific studies, and equity research, to guide school curricula, clinical practice, and federal policy.