As many of us know, and some of our readers may have experienced firsthand, depression is an extremely serious issue. It encompasses the entire body and mind, swallowing one’s whole system. For some, depression manifests severely, leaving them unable to perform simple tasks such as eating, washing up, or brushing their hair—completely consumed by a feeling that paints their world in a vivid, overwhelming blue. For others, it may feel like a lighter shade—a “baby blue,” if you will—where their thoughts still impact daily life, interactions with others, and energy levels, though perhaps less visibly. Regardless of the degree or intensity of these feelings, depression is a state that affects a significant number of individuals, particularly students. It is most widespread among those aged approximately 13 to 18 and later resurfaces in early adulthood, around ages 19 to 22. If we pay close attention to these age groups, it becomes evident that depression often takes hold during high school and the early years of university.

This naturally leads us to ask: what causes depression? And further, does the rapidly rising influence of social media play a role in its prevalence? According to the Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry (2020; 21(2):203-210), 41.9% of high school students aged 14-18 reported experiencing depressive symptoms. Additionally, their 2019 study (20(Suppl.1):15-22) found a positive correlation between the Internet Addiction Scale and depression/anxiety levels. Similarly, research published in the Uludağ University Faculty of Education Journal (35(1), 28-43) revealed that adolescents with social media addiction exhibit significantly higher rates of depression compared to their peers without such addiction. Further studies, such as those by Balcı and Baloğlu (2018), Bilgin (2018), Karadağ and Akçınar (2019), Haand and Shuang (2020), Hou et al. (2019), Yaşar-Can (2020), and Young and Rogers (1998), consistently show that as social media addiction increases, so does depression. In fact, as social media addiction rises globally, depression and related mental health issues are becoming increasingly widespread (Dailey et al., 2020).

One of the primary reasons for this connection is tied to body image. Social media overexposes users to an idealized version of humanity. Teenagers, in particular, are bombarded with images and content that often depict people who appear “perfect” by societal standards. This constant comparison can lead to body image issues, self-doubt, and even self-hatred. Another factor linked to social media and depression is the phenomenon of FOMO—the “fear of missing out.” The curated lives we see online cause us to reflect on our own lives and, often, to make unfavorable comparisons. Even witnessing someone else experience slightly more excitement or joy can trigger feelings of inadequacy and sadness. Social media, with its endless stream of highlight reels, becomes the perfect platform for these harmful comparisons. 

The rise of creators, and eventually the rise of content leads to higher rate of depression by the reasons listed above. But is social media the biggest reason for teenage depression? It surely isn’t. Depression stems from a multitude of factors, including academic pressure, fear of not meeting expectations, familial challenges, and more. Each individual’s experience with depression is unique and shaped by their personal circumstances.