During the 2025-26 school year, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday visited high schools to talk about how teens use social media. He heard a lot from students who use social media every day and understand its impact on their mental health. After these visits, he released the teenTALK 2026 report, which is based on discussions with around 160 students from 35 schools across five counties.
Sunday held three roundtable discussions with students, staff, and administrators to dive into the effects of social media on teen mental health. The conversation around social media and cellphone use in schools is heating up, with a proposed cellphone ban in Pennsylvania that would limit phone use during school hours. This bill passed the state Senate in February and is now headed to the House for a vote.
The teenTALK 2026 report highlights students’ views on the addictive nature of platforms like TikTok and YouTube. These apps are a major way for teens to connect, but they also link to issues like self-harm and negative self-image. The report also raises concerns about AI tools and chatbots, calling for stronger protections and bipartisan efforts to tackle harmful AI content.
“It’s no secret that social media has a dark side,” Sunday said. He emphasized that the Attorney General’s Office is committed to addressing these issues. He encourages students to manage their social media use by blocking harmful content and setting time limits. Sunday also promises to hold social media companies accountable if they don’t protect their users, pushing for better age verification and more mental health resources.
