Abstract

This study parallels, compares, and extends an internal marketing research study conducted by Meta Platforms for its Instagram product, that was exposed in the media as the “Facebook Files.” The internal study showed that Meta knew of the negative consequences that Instagram had on teen mental health yet did little to counter it. This study, based on an online panel study survey of 392 teen girls aged 13 to 18 years in the United States, examines and assesses potential negative consequences and concerns teenage girls have about social media and how using it impacts their mental health. The findings show that use of Instagram, the focus of the Facebook Files study, negatively impacts teenage girls’ mental health. Contrary to assertions by Meta, these results show that mental health concerns have increased. Frequency of use and problematic social media use are all related to concerns held by teen girls. While other studies focus on adult concerns about teen social media use, our analysis focuses on teens’ concerns and worries regarding social media.