RCSI Study Links Social Media Use, Sexting and Body Dissatisfaction to Poor Mental Health in Irish Teenagers

Wednesday, 3 December 2025: A new study from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has found that high social media use, body dissatisfaction, and engagement in sexting are strongly associated with poorer mental health and increased risk of self-harm among Irish adolescents. 

Based on survey data from more than 4,000 teenagers predominantly aged 15–16 across both rural and urban areas collected just after the COVID-19 pandemic, the research highlights key risk factors affecting adolescent mental health. The findings also reveal that girls reported poorer mental health than boys and higher levels of several risk markers.