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Riskonnected: Social Media, Puberty and Risky Behaviours in Adolescence

Author

Listed:
  • Agnoletto, Margherita

    (University of Turin)

  • Della Giusta, Marina

    (University of Turin)

  • Mendolia, Silvia

    (University of Turin)

Abstract

We examine the impact of intensive social media use on puberty timing, particularly earlier menarche in girls. Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), a nationally representative longitudinal dataset tracking around 19,000 children in the UK, we analyse how digital engagement influences adolescent development. Our results show that intensive social media use significantly accelerates menarche in girls but has no clear effect on male puberty markers. The likely mechanism behind this effect is the negative impact of social media on mental health, particularly stress and anxiety, which have been linked to earlier menarche. Our findings highlight social media use itself as a potential risky behaviour, reinforcing concerns about its effects on adolescent well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnoletto, Margherita & Della Giusta, Marina & Mendolia, Silvia, 2025. "Riskonnected: Social Media, Puberty and Risky Behaviours in Adolescence," IZA Discussion Papers 18013, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luca Braghieri & Ro'ee Levy & Alexey Makarin, 2022. "Social Media and Mental Health," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(11), pages 3660-3693, November.
    2. Chiungjung Huang, 2022. "A meta-analysis of the problematic social media use and mental health," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(1), pages 12-33, February.
    3. McDool, Emily & Powell, Philip & Roberts, Jennifer & Taylor, Karl, 2020. "The internet and children’s psychological wellbeing," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Andrew Leigh & Stephen Robson, 2025. "The Rise of Social Media and the Fall in Mental Well‐Being Among Young Australians," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 58(1), pages 33-38, March.
    5. Kaltiala-Heino, Riittakerttu & Marttunen, Mauri & Rantanen, Päivi & Rimpelä, Matti, 2003. "Early puberty is associated with mental health problems in middle adolescence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(6), pages 1055-1064, September.
    6. McNamee, Paul & Mendolia, Silvia & Yerokhin, Oleg, 2021. "Social media use and emotional and behavioural outcomes in adolescence: Evidence from British longitudinal data," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    7. Matthias Doepke & Fabrizio Zilibotti, 2017. "Parenting With Style: Altruism and Paternalism in Intergenerational Preference Transmission," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 85, pages 1331-1371, September.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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