Is Social Media Stealing Your Teen’s Joy? A Reflection on Young People and Depression

More and more young people are struggling with low mood, anxiety, and disconnection. There’s no denying that many factors are at play -  their brains are still developing, hormones are shifting, friendships are evolving, and they’re navigating a world that often misunderstands them. Our teens deserve more grace than they’re often given for what they’re moving through and what they’re exposed to every day.

The Slow Burn of Social Media and Depression

Unlike any generation before them, Gen Z has grown up with unfiltered, around-the-clock access to social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat offer constant entertainment and instant gratification, but they also come with a darker side: endless comparison, invisible pressure, and the steady drip of self-doubt.

For a teen still discovering who they are, this can be an incredibly overwhelming space.

Research shows a clear link between screen time and depressive symptoms — particularly among girls, who statistically engage in higher levels of screen use than boys. We’re seeing:

Teens comparing themselves to lives that look happier, more exciting, more “put together”

A growing sense of falling behind or missing out

Scrolling to escape boredom or difficult feelings,  only to end up feeling worse

Late night phone use under the covers, disrupting circadian rhythms and draining dopamine

At the same time, we also need to consider that sometimes, social media becomes a tool for coping. Teens experiencing depression may be more likely to turn to screens to regulate or distract from painful emotions.

Where Is Their Joy Coming From?

Most young people don’t actually know what brings them real joy anymore. Not because they don’t want to feel good, but because their daily lives are full of stimulation, not fulfillment.

TikTok makes us laugh. Instagram keeps us engaged. Reels give us that satisfying dopamine hit.  But once the scrolling stops? There’s often a hollow feeling left behind.

Joy and stimulation are not the same thing.

Our brains are wired to seek reward,  and scrolling offers it fast. But over time, this constant hit of quick dopamine starts to rewire the brain. It trains us to chase short bursts of pleasure, while making it harder to engage in slower, more meaningful forms of gratification, like creating, connecting, or completing something hard.

We even see changes in brain structure — with excessive screen use linked to alterations in grey matter, similar to patterns seen in other addictive behaviours.

Sleep-Deprived and Switched On

One of the most common issues we see in teens is disrupted sleep - trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed. While many factors contribute to this, increased screen time (especially late at night) plays a major role.

Exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin, disrupts the body clock, and delays sleep. Scrolling in bed also keeps the brain alert and wired, making it harder to wind down. Sleep is a core pillar of mental health, and without it, everything feels harder.

Awakening the Internal Compass

Sometimes, our teens need support reconnecting with their internal compass,  that inner knowing of what feels good, meaningful, and aligned. Especially in a world constantly telling them what to think, feel, and do.

You could ask them, “What used to make you feel good that you haven’t done in a while?”

Real joy often comes from small, grounding things:

Creating something with their hands

Being silly with a sibling or pet

Drawing, gaming, or playing music with a friend

Spending time in nature

Moving their body in a way that feels good

Feeling truly seen or understood

These are the things that help protect mental health, regulate the nervous system, and bring your teen back to themselves.

Most of us underestimate our screen time,  and our teens are no exception. Tools like screen time trackers aren’t about punishment; they’re about pattern recognition.

Try making it collaborative:

“Want to check how long we’ve both been on our phones this week? Just out of curiosity?”

When it’s done together, it feels less like control — and more like care.

How You Can Support Your Teen:

Start with empathy	This is the only world they’ve known. They’re doing their best to make sense of it.
Be curious, not critical	Instead of “You’re always on your phone!!,” try “How do you usually feel after a few hours on TikTok?”
Encourage time in spaces that feel good	Support them to reconnect with nature, creativity, friendship, pets, or rest.
Model healthy boundaries	Your own relationship with your phone matters too. What messages are you sending, even without saying a word?
Know the signs of depression	Low energy, disinterest in things they used to enjoy, irritability, changes in sleep, all of these deserve gentle attention and support.

Social media is designed to pull us in. But it often pulls our teens away  from themselves, their joy, their sense of connection.

You don’t need to have all the answers. But your presence, your curiosity, and your calm guidance can help them find their way back to what feels real.

Because the question isn’t just how much time they’re spending online…

It’s how that time is making them feel.

Need Extra Support? We're Here.

Sometimes it's hard for teens to open up to their parents,  even when they really want to. And as a parent, it can be tough to know how to help, especially when everything you try seems to fall flat.

At Wildflower, we offer psychology support for young people who might be struggling with low mood, anxiety, disconnection, or the weight of navigating life. 

If your teen is feeling lost, flat, or like they’re not themselves lately, you're not alone, and neither are they.

Get in touch with us to find out more about our psychology services for teens. We’re here to walk alongside your family.