In the News: Unpacking Grind Culture: Report from Common Sense Media

August 15, 2025

What you need to know:

A report from Common Sense Media shows that teens experience pressure from many areas of life, not just social media. 81% of U.S. teens reported feeling pressure that negatively affects them in at least one of six areas: having a “game plan” for life, achievement, appearance, social life, friendships, and activism. Nonbinary teens reported higher levels of pressure across all areas. The report also highlights social media’s dual role, showing that it can help ease certain pressures while amplifying others.

Our gut reactions:

• We were surprised to see that cisgender boys reported the least amount of pressure across all categories, while body image pressures are ‘named’ more for cisgendered girls. This made us wonder if we perceive pressures differently based on our gender.

• For the impacts of social media on pressures, there’s a substantial number for whom it sometimes increases and decreases pressures, highlighting the complexity of social media’s role in youth wellbeing.

• Social media had the highest negative impact on appearance related pressure, aligning with what we already understand about social comparison.

We think it’s headed in the…

• Right direction

• Wrong direction

• Too soon to tell

What to look out for:

Social media pressures are very real, but it’s important to continue approaching social media’s impacts with the complexity and nuance they deserve.

References

• Unpacking Grind Culture in American Teens: Pressure, Burnout, and the Role of Social Media Common Sense Media

Additional Tools and Insights 📚

• Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health in a Digital World: Learn insights and strategies for protecting your wellbeing while staying connected.

• GoodforMEdia's Guide to Social Comparison: Created by GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders, this guide aims to help young people navigate social comparison related to appearance, achievement, social media metrics, and more!

• GoodforMEdia Guides and Tools: Explore a list of resources created by youth to help their peers and adult allies navigate the positive and negative aspects of social media.