Work

“The Only Place I Feel Understood”: A Mixed Methods Survey of Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives on Social Media and Parental Controls

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose Given adolescents’ extensive social media use and its mixed impacts, this study explores: (1) adolescent and young adult (AYA) social media habits, (2) familial factors associated with parental controls, and (3) social media use among AYA with disordered eating. Methods AYA aged 11–20 visiting an urban academic medical center and fluent in English or Spanish were surveyed on social media use and mental health. Caregivers of minors provided consent and data on demographics and parental controls. The survey included multiple choice, yes/no, and free-text questions. Analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, and qualitative coding. Results Participants averaged 15.3 years; 46% spent 4+ hours on social media daily. Younger adolescents (11–14) were more likely to report high use ( p = 0.002) and have parental controls ( p = 0.006). Most AYA (76%) felt better after using social media. Over half of parents (54.4%) used controls. Qualitative themes included: social media’s unrecognized benefits, its dual role in time use, and its value for health information. Conclusion AYA generally viewed social media positively, though many wished to reduce usage. Parental controls focused more on content than time. Social media supported some with eating disorders, though 30% encountered harmful content.

Source: Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1177/13591045261417801

Authors: Melanie Watt Ramos, Constance M. Wiemann, Lauren A. Bretz

Institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650