Exploring Mental Health and Digital Technologies Among Young People in Rural Areas
Hopelab (2025), 19 pp.
"Young people in rural areas report distinct patterns in how they engage with digital technologies compared to their suburban and urban peers. These notable patterns are both shaped by and contribute to their experiences with digital connection, mental health, and well-being. This report highlights how rural young people engage with social media in unique ways and raises an important concern: despite the potential benefits of digital tools for supporting mental health, rural young people are less likely to access or use online health and well-being resources. Although online communities can provide an important source of connection and support, rural young people report lower daily social media use than their suburban/urban peers. Notable differences also emerged in how and why they use these platforms. Engagement with online therapy and mental health apps is consistently lower among rural young people, including among those experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. Despite the early promise that teletherapy and mental health
apps would help close gaps for rural communities where access to providers is limited, the data suggest that promise is yet to be realized. Rural young people are especially likely to use social media to connect with others, express themselves creatively, and stay up-to-date with news. However, they are also more likely to disengage from social media when faced
with harassment, negativity, or concerns about overuse. Additionally, rural young people are less likely to find affirming content about diverse identities on social media compared to
their suburban/urban peers. Despite reporting similar rates of depression and anxiety, rural young people are less likely to report a strong sense of life purpose. Often, this means facing challenges in finding opportunities and resources to pursue long-term goals." (Conclusion, page 17)
apps would help close gaps for rural communities where access to providers is limited, the data suggest that promise is yet to be realized. Rural young people are especially likely to use social media to connect with others, express themselves creatively, and stay up-to-date with news. However, they are also more likely to disengage from social media when faced
with harassment, negativity, or concerns about overuse. Additionally, rural young people are less likely to find affirming content about diverse identities on social media compared to
their suburban/urban peers. Despite reporting similar rates of depression and anxiety, rural young people are less likely to report a strong sense of life purpose. Often, this means facing challenges in finding opportunities and resources to pursue long-term goals." (Conclusion, page 17)
"Nearly one in six young people in the United States lives in rural areas. These young people often face conditions that affect their wellbeing, including higher rates of poverty, fewer educational and job opportunities, and limited access to healthcare services. Mental health challenges are especially relevant, as rural areas frequently lack adequate mental health professionals and resources. These factors can amplify risk and create unique barriers to care that differ from those faced by their suburban/urban peers. Despite these challenges, many rural young people find ways to connect and express themselves, often turning to online spaces that offer a sense of community, understanding, and affirmation. These digital spaces can provide important opportunities to engage with peers, access support, and build a sense of belonging both within and beyond their immediate communities. In this report, Hopelab examines the mental health, well-being, and online behaviors of young people aged 14-22 (n = 1,274) living in rural communities (21% of those sampled) compared to those living in suburban/urban communities (77%). The term “rural” refers to respondents who selected “rural” when asked to choose the option that best describes where they live, while “suburban/urban” includes those who selected either “suburban” or “urban”." (Page 2)
Key Finding 1: Rural young people are less likely to use social media daily compared to their suburban/urban peers, 3
Key Finding 2: Rural young people are more likely to prefer communicating via social media rather than in person, and they use social media differently than their suburban/urban peers, 5
Key Finding 3: Rural and suburban/urban young people experience depression and anxiety at similar rates, 8
Key Finding 4: Rural young people are less likely to use mental health and well-being mobile apps, even when experiencing depression or anxiety, 9
Key Finding 5: Rural young people are less likely to have attended online therapy to support their mental health and well-being, 12
Key Finding 6: Rural young people are more likely to permanently stop using social media due to harassment, negative experiences, or concerns about time spent online, 13
Key Finding 7: Rural young people are less likely to encounter affirming content about diverse identities on social media, 15
Key Finding 8: Rural young people are less likely to report high levels of life purpose, 16
Key Finding 2: Rural young people are more likely to prefer communicating via social media rather than in person, and they use social media differently than their suburban/urban peers, 5
Key Finding 3: Rural and suburban/urban young people experience depression and anxiety at similar rates, 8
Key Finding 4: Rural young people are less likely to use mental health and well-being mobile apps, even when experiencing depression or anxiety, 9
Key Finding 5: Rural young people are less likely to have attended online therapy to support their mental health and well-being, 12
Key Finding 6: Rural young people are more likely to permanently stop using social media due to harassment, negative experiences, or concerns about time spent online, 13
Key Finding 7: Rural young people are less likely to encounter affirming content about diverse identities on social media, 15
Key Finding 8: Rural young people are less likely to report high levels of life purpose, 16
