How social media impacts young people’s mental health and how we can help

Social media is a double-edged sword for young people.

It is a place to connect, share, and explore, but it also comes with risks.

For many of the young people we support, the pressures of social media can feel overwhelming.

Recent warnings from Ofcom only highlight how serious this issue is becoming, with one statistic standing out – 22 per cent of children aged eight to 17 admit to pretending they are 18 or older to access social media platforms.

This worrying trend shows just how easy it is for young people to bypass age restrictions, exposing them to harmful content meant for adults.

While the Online Safety Act (the Act) will require platforms to strengthen age verification by 2025, the damage is already happening.

We are tackling these challenges head-on, helping young people navigate social media’s dangers while building resilience and self-worth.

The hidden dangers of social media

For young people, social media is often a window to the world, but not always a safe one.

Pretending to be older online might give them access to certain features, but it also exposes them to content that can be inappropriate, harmful, or even traumatising.

Being online as a supposed “adult” means they might see explicit material, dangerous ideologies, or even experience cyberbullying and exploitation.

When paired with the mental health pressures of endless comparisons, filtered perfection, and fear of missing out, it is no wonder so many young people struggle emotionally.

Our approach

We know that banning social media outright is not realistic or helpful.

Instead, our approach focuses on education, balance, and emotional support to help young people make better choices online. Here’s how:

Educating on the risks of pretending to be older

Many young people do not realise the full consequences of lying about their age online.

We talk openly about why platforms have age restrictions and the dangers of accessing adult content too soon.

Teaching critical thinking

Just because something is on social media does not mean it is true or healthy.

We help young people question the content they see, from influencers’ filtered lives to harmful trends, so they can make decisions about what to engage with.

Building digital boundaries

Creating limits around screen time and social media use can reduce its negative impact.

We encourage regular “digital detoxes” and support young people in finding fulfilling offline activities that boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Providing a safe space to talk

When the pressures of social media become too much, our team is always here to listen.

We provide support to help young people cope with everything from cyberbullying to feelings of inadequacy.

Supporting families to set online rules

Many parents feel powerless when it comes to their child’s social media use.

We work with families to create consistent boundaries and offer practical advice on managing online behaviour.

What needs to change

While we are doing everything we can to support the young people in our care, social media companies must also take responsibility.

Ofcom’s findings are a wake-up call that platforms need to do more to protect children from pretending to be adults online and from the harmful content this exposes them to.

The introduction of the Act in 2025 will enforce stricter age verification measures, but until then, the responsibility falls on all of us to support young people.

If you are concerned about how social media is affecting a young person in your life, we are here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about how we are making a difference.