Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Scoping Review of Platform and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Background: High rates of social media use and mental ill-health among young people have drawn significant public, policy, and research concern. Rapid technological advancements and changes in platform design have outpaced our understanding of the health effects of social media and hampered timely evidence-based regulatory responses. While a proliferation of recommendations to social media companies and governments has been published, a comprehensive summary of recommendations for protecting young people’s mental health and digital safety does not yet exist. Objective: This scoping review synthesized published recommendations for social media companies and governments in relation to young pe..