Kids who get discouraged by idealized athletic bodies on social media may end up dropping out of sports, a small study suggests.

In a preliminary study of 70 kids who played -- or used to play -- sports, researchers found that some had quit because they thought they didn't have the "right" body for the activity. And most got that idea from media images, including TikTok and Instagram post...

For a needed mood boost, skip social media and strike up an in-person conversation with someone instead.

Face-to-face socializing boosts mood more than screen time, a new study finds.

People often expect that will be the case, but they don't always follow that instinct, according to the researchers.

"These findings suggest that people may use their smartphones because th...

When U.S. parents express their concerns about their school-aged children, social media use and the internet are at the top of the list.

Mental health issues are another top worry, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

"Parents still view problems dire...

Video games and social media are keeping school kids up at night, according to a new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

But so, too, are more constructive pursuits, including homework and extracurricular activities, which can be a problem when it comes to setting a good sleep routine early in the school year.

"Getting enough sleep is just as crucial as nutrit...

When parents meet U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, one concern comes up time after time.

"The most common question parents ask me is: 'Is social media safe for my kids,' " Murthy said. "The answer is that we don't have enough evidence to say it's safe, and in fact, there is...

Many retirees opt to volunteer as a way to help others, but new research suggests this act can also benefit volunteers' brain health.

Volunteering later in life may provide protection for the brain from both cognitive (mental) decline and dementia, according to researchers. Their findings were presented this week at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, in Amsterdam, in th...

Cutting back social media to a spare 30 minutes per day could be the key to reducing anxiety, depression, loneliness and feelings of fear of missing out, researchers say.

That was true for college students in a new study who self-limited social media -- often successfully and sometimes squeezing in just a bit more time -- for two weeks.

"I think on the one hand, the results are kind...

Physicians and scientists are experiencing alarming levels of harassment on social media, according to a new survey.

About two-thirds of respondents said they had been harassed on social media since the COVID-19 pandemic began -- up from 23.3% of physicians surveyed in 2020.

About 64% reported harassment related to comments made about the pandemic, while 64% of those harassed said t...

The herbal supplement berberine has become the latest social-media obsession for weight-loss, with some on TikTok calling it "nature's Ozempic."

Experts don't agree.

"I would say it's a big exaggeration to call it 'nature's Ozempic,'"said Dr. Melinda R...

The benefits of friendships and activity aren't just for the young.

Staying socially active can also help older adults age their best, according to new research that pinpoints volunteering and recreational activities as important for seniors.

"Although the study's observational nature prohibits the determination of causality, it makes intuitive sense that social activity is associ...

Teens need their sleep, and a new study sheds light on one way to help them get it: Keep cellphones and screens out of the bedroom.

"Getting enough sleep is crucial for teenagers because it helps their body and mind grow and develop properly,"said lead author Dr. Jason Nagata, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the ...

Social media presents a "profound risk"to young brains, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned on Tuesday.

In a report, Murthy warned about ...

About 7 in 10 American parents are concerned that social media trends related to appearance and editing apps and filters are harming their children's body image, a new survey shows.

Among those polled, about 69% of parents expressed worry about these editing apps and filters, which can completely change the look of someone's face and body. This may make them appear to meet some supposed s...

TikTok content overwhelmingly promotes vaping, putting young users at potential risk of e-cigarette use, according to researchers in Australia.

The popular social media platform's own policies on promoting e-cigarette use are often violated, their new study shows.

"Our study explored how e-cigarettes are promoted on TikTok, to assess the effectiveness of the platform's own 'drugs, c...

It's easy for kids to get drawn into Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok, and a leading U.S. psychologists' group warns they need some training in social media literacy beforehand.

The American Psychological Association on Tuesday issued 10 science-based recommendations for teen and preteen social media use, the first time it has done so. The APA compares training in social media to getting a ...

About 4.5 million adults in the United States have liver disease. If they're looking for information about their condition, they'd be wise to look beyond TikTok, new research suggests.

About 40% of posts about liver disease on the social media platform are false or misleading, pushing claims about fad diets and detox drinks, according to a researcher from the University of Arizona College...

It's not new for young people to develop an interest in their favorite pop singer or actor, but it can be problematic if that adoration turns toxic.

It's easier than ever to get lost in a celebrity's carefully curated image via social media posts, according to Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, which offers some tips for when fandom goes too far.

"Artists may do things that enc...

Children's screen use could be altering their developing brains as they enter adolescence and increasing their risk for mood disorders, a major new study finds.

Children ages 9 and 10 who spend more time on smartphones, tablets, video games and TV exhibited higher levels of depression and anxiety by the time they were 11 and 12, researchers found.

Further, the investigators linked s...

Curated images of perfect bodies -- often highly filtered and unrealistic -- are common on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

And a broad new review of 50 recent studies across 17 countries finds that relentless online exposure to largely unat...

Don't rely on TikTok for accurate health information about mpox, the virus once known as monkeypox, a new study says.

An international group of researchers who watched and analyzed videos about mpox on the social media site found them to be often inaccurate, incomplete and of poor quality. Study findings were published May 14 in