Social Media's Complex Impact on Youth Mental Health in Spain
New research and expert views reveal how social media fuels anxiety and FOMO among Spanish youth, while emotional support and kindness offer hopeful pathways forward.
- • 49% of Spanish millennials share life updates first on social media before close contacts.
- • 69% of young Spaniards aged 18-34 report experiencing Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).
- • Social comparisons online lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and validation-seeking behaviors.
- • Psychologist Mercè Conangla promotes emotional tools and kindness as vital to improving mental health amid social pressures.
Key details
Recent studies and expert insights illuminate the multifaceted effects of social media on the mental health of young people in Spain. According to a Kaspersky study titled 'Connecting with Reality,' nearly half (49%) of Spanish millennials share life updates on social media before informing close friends or family. This trend highlights the deep intertwining of digital interaction with personal life and the emotional stakes therein.
The study also reveals that 69% of young people aged 18 to 34 experience FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which psychologist María Calle explains causes emotional distress as individuals feel excluded from the positive experiences of others. Cyberpsychologist Ruth Guest notes that the human need for connection and validation drives users to seek approval through likes and comments, intensifying emotional vulnerabilities.
Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky, points out that social media exposes users to idealized depictions of life, promoting harmful social comparisons that can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and a compulsive need for validation. These behaviors elevate risks such as identity theft and cyberbullying. Nevertheless, 53% of Spanish millennials report no negative mental health effects from their online connections, indicating that individual interpretation and resilience play crucial roles.
In parallel, psychologist Mercè Conangla, head of Fundació Ecología Emocional, highlights that mental health struggles are exacerbated by societal despair and a lack of hope. She advocates for emotional management tools and fostering kindness—conceptualized as compassion, generosity, and love for life—as essential for navigating today's uncertainties. Conangla emphasizes critical thinking and self-trust, encouraging small acts of kindness to build emotional resilience and community support.
Together, these perspectives suggest that while social media poses significant challenges to youth mental health, awareness of its curated nature, balanced digital engagement, and strengthening emotional competencies can mitigate harm. The importance of hope and kindness emerges as a vital counterbalance to the pressures of digital life.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
