Going viral to engage: social media and adolescent mental health literacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4185/rlcs-2026-2572Keywords:
mental health, social media, adolescence, mental health literacy, emotional wellbeing, viral, engagement rateAbstract
Introduction: Aligned with the studies and guidelines that show the potential utility of social media to improve the mental health and emotional well-being of young people, this research aims to identify how content on mental health generates a higher engagement rate on the social media most commonly used by adolescents. Methodology: An analysis of social media listening over the course of an entire year on Instagram and TikTok is conducted, together with a survey (N=2,240, aged 11 to 18). Results: The results show the great potential of health professionals to generate attention and involvement in adolescents when disseminating content on social networks designed to positively impact their literacy in mental health and emotional well-being. However, its effect is conditioned by the proper use of the formats, languages, codes, narrative formulas, and tones of these social networks. So, short videos, using a didactic tone whether formal or distended, and starring health specialists, generate higher interaction rates than other options, such as the use of non-expert influencers, text and static visual formats, or extreme dramatic and humorous tones. Discussion: The results obtained show a high degree of alignment with those reported in previous studies. Conclusions: Taken together, the characteristics of mental-health–related content disseminated through social media may shape the reach and engagement achieved among adolescents, thereby maximising its diffusion and optimising the potential of these platforms both to advance mental health literacy and to enhance the emotional well-being of youth.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ferran Lalueza, Eulàlia Hernández Encuentra, Mercè Boixadós

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Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Grant numbers PID2021-127129OB-I00