Social media has become a popular target for blaming rising mental health problems among teenagers. However, experts like Professor Andrew P...

Social media has become a popular target for blaming rising mental health problems among teenagers. However, experts like Professor Andrew Przybylski argue that this discussion oversimplifies the issue. Recent studies from Oxford and Cambridge reveal important differences in how young people use these platforms. Rather than assuming technology causes poor mental health, we should examine actual behavior patterns. Teenagers with diagnosed mental conditions experience social media differently from their peers, which presents crucial information that public debates frequently ignore.

The research distinguishes between two important groups of adolescents. First, teenagers with internalizing conditions such as anxiety and depression report experiencing more social comparison when browsing online platforms. They tend to spend considerable time on social media and feel dissatisfied with their digital friendships. Second, teenagers with externalizing conditions, including ADHD, demonstrate different behavior. These young people spend more time online but do not exhibit the same tendency toward comparing themselves to others.

Przybylski emphasizes that online behavior should be understood as a symptom rather than necessarily a cause of mental health difficulties. This perspective guides researchers toward better questions and provides a deeper understanding of adolescent experiences. He advocates for examining how teenagers actually utilize technology instead of pursuing simple solutions like banning platforms entirely. Such an approach recognizes that technology itself is not inherently harmful.

Future research must include young people with clinical diagnoses and focus on their lived experiences. Data-driven studies centered on adolescent perspectives can produce more effective policies and appropriate platform regulations. By understanding where teenagers truly exist rather than making assumptions, society can develop genuinely helpful solutions. This nuanced approach transforms our conversation about teen mental health from blame to understanding.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/mk

Question 23: Which of the following is NOT MENTIONED in the passage?

A. Teenagers with anxiety and depression experience more social comparison on social media.

B. Professor Przybylski argues that online behavior is a symptom rather than a cause of mental health problems.

C. Research from Oxford and Cambridge examines how different groups of adolescents use technology differently.

D. Specific screen time limits that parents and platforms should enforce for teenagers.

Question 24: The word “their” in paragraph 1 refers to _________.

A. social media platforms

B. teenagers with diagnosed mental conditions

C. public debates

D. all adolescents in general

Question 25: The word “externalizing” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _________.

A. amplifying                                B. expressive                        C. internalizing                                D. demonstrating

Question 26: The word “inherently” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by _________.

A. fundamentally                                B. occasionally                        C. deliberately                                D. incidentally

Question 27: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Teenagers with ADHD experience more social comparison than those with anxiety and depression.

B. Professor Przybylski recommends completely banning all social media platforms to improve teen mental health.

C. Research has proven that technology is the primary cause of mental health problems in all teenagers.

D. Teenagers with internalizing conditions report dissatisfaction with digital friendships and spend considerable time on social media.

Question 28: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Research should create stricter rules to prevent teenagers from accessing social media platforms.

B. Research based on teenagers' viewpoints can produce better policies and more suitable platform regulations.

C. Studies examining adolescent data should establish policies that respect young people's digital experiences.

D. Research focusing on teenagers' actual circumstances can develop practical solutions for managing social media.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the writer mention why Przybylski believes that understanding online behavior as a symptom is important?

A. Paragraph 1                                B. Paragraph 2                                C. Paragraph 3                                D. Paragraph 4

Question 30: In which paragraph does the writer mention the main difference in how teenagers with internalizing and externalizing conditions use social media?

A. Paragraph 2                                B. Paragraph 4                                C. Paragraph 1                                D. Paragraph 3