What is social media?
Social media is a way to connect with others online. It lets you share ideas, photos, videos, messages, or emails
in an online group or community in real-time or over time. It also allows you to connect with friends and family,
meet new people, or connect with classmates, coworkers, and communities that share your interests.
You can access social media applications (apps) and websites with smartphone, tablets, laptops, computers, and other
devices.
The terms social networking and social media are often used in the same way.
- Social networking focuses on creating and keeping online relationships.
- Social media is the digital technology used to get or send information.
On this page, we’ll refer to social media as the online connections or relationships created between groups or
individuals.
How much do youth use social media and what sites do they use?
- As of 2025, more than 32 million Canadians use social media.
- Between 2012 and 2018, the rate of daily social media use doubled, with over 4 in 10 teens using social media
hourly.
In 2025, the social media sites young people spent the most time on included:
- X (formerly known as Twitter)
- TikTok
- Reddit
- Tumblr
- Instagram
- Pinterest
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- LinkedIn
- Facebook
When should I worry about my social media use?
Social media can be a fun way to stay connected with your friends. But it can also cause harm when it starts
affecting your life, relationships, or health, if you use it too much and if you aren’t careful. Setting limits and
having a plan to be safe will help you keep it a fun activity.
You may have a higher risk of problems with social media if you:
- are young and single
- have relationship problems with your family or friends
- have a mental health issue (such as anxiety or depression)
Warning signs your social media use may be becoming unhealthy include if you:
- spend less time with your family and friends, leading to relationship problems
- lose interest in things you used to enjoy
- feel isolated or anxious
- have trouble sleeping
- don’t feel like being active
- have more trouble at school
- are exposed to cyberbullying, disturbing content, and unwanted sexual images and messages
- spend more time comparing yourself to others
Too much time on social media can change how you see yourself. You may spend more time comparing yourself to others,
and begin to have a negative body image.
Don’t ignore these early signs that social media is becoming a problem.
Setting limits and spending less time on social media
It’s OK to enjoy social media, but it shouldn’t take over your life. Set limits for how much time you spend on social
media. Think about spending less time on social media if you answer yes to any of these questions:
- Am I falling behind on school or missing deadlines?
- Am I skipping sports, clubs, or activities I used to enjoy?
- Am I late for work or skipping responsibilities?
Set up healthy activities with your family and friends. This can include physical activity, hobbies and games, and
other activities you enjoy. To cut down on the time you spend on social media, you can also:
- set daily time limits or app timers
- schedule regular breaks from your device
- get more involved in activities with family and friends
- get together with friends or make new friends
- get involved in activities at school and in your community
- talk to an adult you trust if you’re struggling
If you’re finding it hard to cut down on the time you spend on social media, ask for help.
Take steps to stay safe online
It’s important to be careful online and know which websites are safe for you to visit. Some websites have harmful
content or advice.
When you use social media, ask yourself:
- Does this add value and meaning to my daily activities or does it just distract me?
- Does this app or website use my personal information in ways I’m not comfortable with?
- Does this website suggest I do something that may hurt me or someone else (physically or mentally)?
Find the good and helpful benefits of using social media. This will also help you to stay safe.
Always think twice before you post anything online. Remember that anything you post can spread quickly and be hard
to delete. When you apply for a job, college, university, or scholarships, people may find your social media and
judge you based on what you posted.
Before you post, ask yourself:
- Will I still feel OK about this tomorrow or in a year?
- Would I want a future employer or teacher to see this?
- Does this app use or share my personal information in ways I’m uncomfortable with?
- Is this content encouraging me to do something unsafe or hurtful?
If anything makes you feel unsure, step away and ask a trusted adult for advice.
Ask for advice from your parents, your counsellor, or any adult you trust if:
- you feel uncomfortable with an app or website
- someone asks you to do something that doesn’t seem right or makes you uncomfortable
For help and support, call the
Alberta Health Services Youth Addiction
Services at
1-866-332-2322
(toll free in Alberta).
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You might be thinking:
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Remember that:
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“Everyone is on social media, I’ll miss out if I have to stop!”
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Using social networking sites and social media isn’t a bad thing. But it’s
important that you use it safely and it doesn’t get in the way of homework, activities, relationships,
or family time. |
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“It is not my parent’s business who I talk to or what I post.”
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You’re right that everyone has a right to privacy. It is your parent’s
responsibility to keep you safe and protect you from harm. Have a talk with them or a trusted adult
about how to stay safe online. You can also talk to them about what can happen when you post something
for others to see online. |
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“Why do I have to cut back my social media use at all?”
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Sometimes good things can start to become a problem. If you find yourself
on social media a lot or miss out on real-life activities, this could be a warning sign that you’re
becoming addicted to social media. |
See the
Resources section for more information.
