Hopelab & Well Being Trust 16
Figure 7. Negative experiences and responses on
social media, by depressive symptoms
Percent of 14- to 22-year-old social media users who
say they "often"… on social media
However, teens and young adults with moderate to severe depres-
sive symptoms are more likely than other young people to say they
have certain negative experiences on social media.
They are more likely to say they:
Key Finding 7
Source: Hopelab/Well Being Trust Teens and Young Adults Survey, Feb-
ruary-March 2018. N=1,242 social media users ages 14-22. Note: All
differences depicted in this chart are statistically significant at p<.05
7%
7%
4%
1%
3%
32%
29%
21%
18%
14%
Among those with no
depressive symptoms
Among those with
moderate to severe
depressive symptoms
Feel like others are doing better than they are
Post things but get few comments or likes
See so much bad news that it makes them feel stressed or anxious
Feel left out when using social media
Use social media to avoid dealing with problems
7
See Methodology section for more
discussion about the use of this term.
• Get negative comments from others, at least sometimes
(38% v. 17% of those with no depressive symptoms);
• Post things but get few comments or likes (29% v. 7% often);
• Feel like others are doing better than they are (32% v.
7% often);
• Feel left out when using social media (18% v. 1% often);
• Use social media to avoid dealing with problems (14% v.
3% often);
• See so much bad news in social media that it makes them
stressed or anxious (21% v. 4% strongly agree);
• Have been "trolled" on social media (having somebody
intentionally create conflict with them; 31% v. 14% ever);
• Have "stalked" someone on social media (checking people
out online without them knowing about it;
7
31% v. 16% ever); and
• Have deleted a social media account after a personal conflict
(30% v. 10% ever).
Key Findings
