[Social media and teenagers' mental health].

Abstract

SOCIAL MEDIA AND TEENAGERS' MENTAL HEALTH. Social media are widely used daily especially amongst adolescents. The fast apparition and evolution of these platforms might be difficult to follow. Social Media can expose to risks that it is important to be aware of, in order to assess in clinical practice their impact on adolescents' health and to be able to provide useful guidance. After recalling what social media are and their characteristics, and giving the latest statistical data available, the problems encountered on them according to young people as well as their positive effects are exposed. The risks of using these media often described in literature are then discussed. Recommendations exist for health professionals, parents and adolescents regarding these issues, as well as many websites suggesting practical ways to promote a healthy use of social media.