Ask the Expert

Tips on Safeguarding Teens’ Mental Health in the Digital Age

Stories You May Like

Concoct a Cocktail in Honor of Our Newest Alumni

Get a Clue: Anna Shechtman Is a Star in the World of Crosswords

Looking to Negotiate Your Next Job? An ILR Prof Has Some Top Tips

A psychology professor weighs in on why it’s important to talk to your kids about their online lives, among other advice

By Beth Saulnier

Adolescence has never been easy—but for the current cohort of post-pandemic teens growing up in the digital age, it’s arguably more fraught than ever. Cornellians tapped Adam Hoffman, an assistant professor of psychology who’s an expert on adolescent development, for some words of wisdom.

Hoffman, who’s based in Human Ecology and has an appointment in Arts & Sciences, also runs the PRIDE Lab, which does community-based research on youth who are LGBTQ+, come from marginalized racial groups, or intersect with both identities.

How stressful a world is this for today’s youth, compared to recent generations?

We’re definitely in a more challenging time than we’ve ever been in, in terms of what our teenagers have to cope with—and that’s mostly coming from the social media landscape that’s been added in the past decade. There’s a ubiquity now that that wasn’t there even 10 years ago.

These kids are managing a whole new part of themselves. Identity exploration is totally developmentally appropriate, but this is absolutely another thing that they have to deal with. We see this reflected in the state of teenage mental health: there are higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

The CDC shows that over 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or loneliness, which is a pretty big jump from a decade ago.

Is it safe to assume the pandemic played a role?

Yes, there have been lingering effects. It disrupted teens’ normative development, especially socially. Some of them haven’t been taught the skills they need, leaving them feeling like they can’t regain solid footing.

Are today’s parents at something of a disadvantage because they didn’t grow up with these technologies themselves?

The prior generation is always going to be trying to keep up. It’s an eternal issue, and it will become more profound, because of how quickly technology advances.

We’re definitely in a more challenging time than we’ve ever been in, in terms of what our teenagers have to cope with.

You mentioned loneliness has risen, which seems strange now that we’re connected online in ways we never were before. Why are teens more lonely, rather than less?

Because they’re not necessarily connecting in ways that enhance feelings of togetherness. Digital connections are easy, and that’s great—but they don’t replace being together in person.

The loss of “third spaces,” like coffee shops and other meeting spots, has made it increasingly harder for us to get together. Then throw in the pandemic effects of people isolating themselves—getting back into the rhythm hasn’t been easy.

Why are these “third spaces” so important?

They’re woven into everyday life. They’re neutral ground, and typically low stakes. You can come and go quickly; you can meet up with friends or start conversations with strangers.

Good examples are coffee shops, malls, and parks. But we know these places are shrinking. Malls are slowly dying. Here in the U.S., coffee shops are becoming more about to-go orders, and not necessarily spaces where people can sit down, relax, and enjoy themselves.

Digital connections are easy, and that’s great—but they don’t replace being together in person.

The decline of these kinds of physical spaces has been really hard on our teens—not to have organic places to hang out like prior generations had. Think about the drive-in or the local hot dog stand. They’re not there anymore, or they’re slowly going away. It’s easy to turn to digital spots to fill social needs, but it’s really not the same.

A lot of us older folks can’t imagine having to navigate adolescence in the social media age. What are some of those special pressures?

Once something is on the Internet, it lives there—and that’s scary. Teenagers have to contend with developing an identity and a “brand” through their social media—something we never had to do before.

In the past, you could easily become one thing and then try something else; in adolescence, that’s what you’re supposed to do. It’s a time of identity exploration and figuring out who you are.

Now, you have to be like, “Okay, I’m the goth kid.” Once that’s how you portray yourself, it’s hard to flip it and explore a new identity.

What about the effects of social media algorithms on developing minds?

We know that these platforms are designed to be addictive—the endless scrolling, likes, and notifications. This really does hijack attention; it’s an important cognitive skill, and we know that in teens, it’s suffering. We also see disruptions in sleep, which is critical for adolescent brain development, even into our 20s.

Stories You May Like

Teenagers have to contend with developing an identity and a 'brand' through their social media—something we never had to do before.

I don’t want to demonize social media. It’s a tool. And like any other, you can use it for good and bad. It can connect teens to their peers and to resources, but it can also expose them to unrealistic standards, cyberbullying, and constant comparisons with others.

What recommendations do you have for how parents can moderate these negative impacts?

We need to have an open dialogue with our teens and encourage them to talk about what’s going on in their lives—especially their digital lives.

Oftentimes, when we ask kids, “How was your day? What did you do?” we’re thinking about the “real world.” But also inquire about what’s going on in the digital world. Ask questions like, “What’s the best thing you saw online today?” Keep it light and easy, so they know they can talk to you about it.

Also, set boundaries. Work collaboratively with your teen to create screentime limits and rules like no phones in bedrooms or no devices after 10 p.m. Talk to them about how it’s about sleep, not about controlling them. Involve them in that decision. They’re teenagers; they need to start having these collaborative conversations.

Ask questions like, 'What’s the best thing you saw online today?' Keep it light and easy, so they know they can talk to you about it.

We also need to boost offline life. Push for things like extracurriculars, nature time, or family rituals. Build their identity and connections beyond their screens.

And finally: watch for red flags like persistent withdrawal, issues with sleep, and irritability that’s more than typical teen moodiness. Parents should trust their gut and seek professional help if needed—and normalize it as a strength, not a failure.

Nowadays, moms and dads can text their kids 24/7. We know the stereotype of the “helicopter parent”—but beyond the obvious safety advantages, is there an upside?

In some ways, it can facilitate communication, especially on topics that maybe kiddos don’t want to talk about in person. Sometimes messaging can make tough conversations easier.

What about the fact that parents can track their child’s location?

Again, it’s all about how we’re using it. It can be a helpful tool, or it can be problematic. It can feel like a restriction of freedom—but it can keep kids from doing things they shouldn’t, because “I know my mom’s watching, and she knows where I am.”

It gives parents peace of mind. But at the same time, you have to let go of your kids eventually, and let them fully live their lives. You’re not going to track them forever.

You have to let go of your kids eventually, and let them fully live their lives. You’re not going to track them forever.

How might social media be particularly important for members of marginalized groups, like LGBTQ+ youth?

For them, it’s huge. Think about the gay boy growing up in rural Wyoming, and being able to talk with other LGBTQ+ people, learn about their community, and develop “chosen family.”

Or take the example of a child adopted from Asia, growing up in a predominantly white area. Social media can connect them with other Asian people, if they’d like to.

We’ve all heard horror stories about how algorithms can fuel negative behaviors; how do you ensure your teens’ social media isn’t promoting things like violence, disordered eating, or self-harm?

You don’t necessarily need to monitor everything they’re looking at, unless you have a reason for concern.

Again, it’s important to foster conversations from the beginning—asking them what’s going on in their online lives. What have they been searching for, looking at, thinking about? What did they learn today online?

Those kinds of questions can give you a temperature check on their digital lives. Making your kids feel safe about talking to you is the best way to know what’s going on in their digital worlds.

(Top: Illustration by Ashley Osburn / Cornell University. Hoffman photo provided.)

Published March 28, 2025