Frequent social media use tied to bullying and suicide risk, CDC finds [Video]

Social media has been a part of Americans’ lives for well over a decade and, in part because of its newness, some people argue that there is a dearth of research about its effect on us — particularly its effect on young people.

For the first time ever, the Centers for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey assessed the frequency of social media use among U.S. high school students. Using that data, the organization drew some conclusions on the relationship between high school students’ social media use and bullying, feelings of hopelessness, and suicide risk. The findings show that most students use social media frequently and it significantly affects their mental health.

The study showed that the vast majority — 77 percent — of high school students use social media at least several times a day, which the CDC defines as “frequent social media use.” Female students use social media more — 81.8 percent …