Children & Teens · Texas behavioral health news
Online connections hold double-edged impact on teen mental health, Texas A&M study finds - Texas A&M Stories
Youth Mental Health Texas (Google News) · October 24, 2025
In plain language
A new research review from Texas A&M University shows that online social connections can both help and harm teen mental health. While active messaging and finding support online can boost self-esteem and confidence, passive scrolling often leads to negative feelings or unhealthy comparisons. The study found that social media acts as a safety net for some, but sharing worries too frequently can cause teens to spiral into deeper anxiety together. Experts suggest that digital spaces need better design and safety tools to help young people build healthy connections.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Actively messaging and reaching out to others online often improves a teenager's mood and social confidence.
- Passive habits like scrolling through sites without interacting are linked to worse mental health outcomes.
- Constant sharing of worries with online friends can lead to a cycle of overthinking called co-rumination.
- Teens with depression often have smaller online networks and feel less connected to their digital peers.
- Online friendships can provide a vital safety net for adolescents who feel vulnerable or lack social skills.
- Seeking mental health support exclusively online without in-person help may increase certain safety risks.
Online connections hold double-edged impact on teen mental health, Texas A&M study finds Texas A&M Stories
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