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The Biggest Threats to Teens’ Mental Health
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Key Takeaways
- Social media ranks as the top mental health concern for both parents (44%) and teens (22%).
- Teens highlight bullying and pressure more than parents do.
Concerns over teen mental health are growing, but how teens and parents view the root causes can differ significantly. This visualization compares their perspectives on what’s driving mental health issues among adolescents.
Although both groups identify social media as the biggest concern, teens are more likely than parents to cite bullying and academic pressure. The chart highlights where their views align—and where they diverge.
The data for this visualization comes from the Pew Research Center.
Social Media Tops Both Lists
Social media is the #1 concern for both groups, though the degree of concern differs.
While 44% of parents name social media as the top threat, just 22% of teens do the same. In fact, a majority of teens see social media as a positive space for friendships and creativity: 74% of teens say these platforms make them feel more connected to their friends, and 63% say they give them a place to show off their creative side.
| Concern | Parents (%) | Teens (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Social media | 44% | 22% |
| Technology generally | 14% | 8% |
| Bullying | 9% | 17% |
| Pressure and expectations | 8% | 16% |
| The state of society | 5% | – |
| School | – | 5% |
Teens More Worried About Bullying and Pressure
Teens are more likely to mention bullying (17%) and pressure or expectations (16%) than their parents, who rank these lower at 9% and 8%, respectively. These stressors often originate in school environments and peer interactions, which parents may not fully perceive.
Parents See Broader Threats, Teens Focus on School
A small share of parents (5%) cite societal issues—like politics or culture—as threats. Meanwhile, teens are more likely to pinpoint school (5%) as a direct source of mental strain.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Social Media Especially Harms Girls’ Sleep and Mental Health on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.