Online Race-Related Experiences Impact Mental Health in Black Youth

Black adolescents face an average of 6 race-related online experiences daily—with racial discrimination, algorithmic bias, and online trauma significantly linked to next-day anxiety and depression, according to a new nationally representative survey.1 These findings underscore the urgent need to understand how digital environments impact youth mental health.

Online racial discrimination, bias, and trauma are linked to anxiety and depression in Black adolescents. | Image credit: Allistair F/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com

The findings from the survey are published in JAMA Network Open.

“To our knowledge this is the first study to measure algorithmic bias using survey items among adolescents,” wrote the researchers of the study. “It is also the first to determine the association with mental health. This is an important addition to the online racism literature, especially considering the rise in racism that is powered by racist algorithms.”

Online racial discrimination among Black adolescents is a pervasive issue with significant mental health implications. One study linked individual online racial discrimination with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, which in turn were linked to suicidal ideation among Black adolescents.2 Research has found that Black adolescents are disproportionately targeted by online racism, with studies showing that they are more likely than their peers to experience racial discrimination on social media platforms.2 This constant exposure to online racism underscores the urgent need for interventions and support systems to address the mental health impacts on Black youth.

This survey study analyzed data from the National Survey of Critical Digital Literacy, using a nationally representative, intensive 7-day daily diary approach.1 Conducted in December 2020, the study recruited 1138 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years, with 1 eligible adolescent randomly selected per household.

The analysis focused on 141 Black or Black biracial/multiracial adolescents (mean [SD] age 14.74 [2.51] years; 56.7% female). Participants completed daily surveys within a 24-hour window, reporting their online race-related experiences and mental health symptoms. The researchers then examined the daily associations between negative experiences (online racial discrimination, traumatic online events, and algorithmic/filter bias), positive racial socialization messages, and next-day depressive and anxiety symptoms. Analyses were conducted in August 2021 and revised in July 2025.

The study found that Black adolescents experienced an average of 6 race-related events online each day, including about 3.2 instances of racial discrimination and 2.8 positive racial socialization experiences. Negative experiences were linked to worse mental health the next day.

Online racial discrimination (γ = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.01-0.33), algorithmic bias (γ = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03-0.22), and traumatic events online (γ = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.04-0.15) were all associated with higher depressive symptoms. Similarly, online racial discrimination (γ = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01-0.21), algorithmic bias (γ = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.19), and traumatic events online (γ = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.19) predicted higher anxiety symptoms the following day. Positive racial socialization messages, however, were not linked to changes in mental health.

Despite these limitations, the researchers believe these findings highlight the significant, daily impact of negative online experiences on youth mental health, especially among Black adolescents.

“In this intensive longitudinal daily diary study of race-related online experiences, we found ORD [online racial discrimination], TEO [traumatic events online], and algorithmic bias were associated with next-day anxiety and depressive symptoms,” wrote the researchers. “Findings point to an urgent need for future research on young people’s race-related online experiences.”

References

1. Tynes BM, McGee T, English D. Adolescents’ daily race-related online experiences and mental health outcomes. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(10):e2536870. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.36870

2. Tynes BM, Maxie-Moreman A, Hoang TH, et al. Online racial discrimination, suicidal ideation, and traumatic stress in a national sample of Black adolescents. JAMA Psychiatry. 2024;81(3):312–316. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4961

3. Del Toro J, Wang MT. Online racism and mental health among Black American adolescents in 2020. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023;62(1):25-36.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.004