In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a widely publicized study that reported a significant increase from 2011 to 2021 — nearly 60% — of teen girls in the U.S. who felt sad or hopeless.

Researchers found that nearly 3 in 5 teen girls persistently felt sad or hopeless, and nearly 1 in 3 had seriously considered attempting suicide. Sadly, I also know from decades of extensive research that the statistics concerning Utah teen girls is similar to and perhaps higher than the national averages. We cannot continue to say, “Those things don’t happen in Utah.”

In 2023, a similar large study, The Girls’ Index, also reported compelling data on girls in the U.S. It was the largest national survey of its kind, with 17,502 girls participating. Researchers collected data for the first time in 2017 and then again in 2023. They explored things that would help anyone who influences girls (e.g., parents, family members, teachers, coaches, religious youth leaders) better understand girls’ thoughts, experiences, perceptions, beliefs and behaviors. The researchers partnered with schools nationwide to survey girls in fifth through 12th grades. The results linking confidence and social media are convincing.

In 2023, 13% fewer girls responded that they felt confident in themselves, with fifth grade girls having the greatest decline. In 2017, 86% of girls said they felt confident, compared with only 68% in 2023. Sadly, they found an even stronger connection now than ever before between confidence and body image. Researchers also found that 57% of girls admitted that social media made them want to change how they look, and 88% responded that they feel pressured to be pretty. Finally, they discovered a strong link between the time a girl spent on social media and her confidence levels — more social media equals less confidence. And the more social media usage, the more girls wanted to change their appearance. On the flip side, girls who were comfortable with their body were nearly 10 times more likely to say they were confident as well.

Researchers also found that most fifth and sixth graders are spending four to six hours each day on social media — contrasted with fewer than two hours in 2017 — with 95% reporting its use. By high school, 99.9% of girls are on social media. In addition, 69% of high school girls say that “most students their age send sexually suggestive photos or videos to one another.” Of further concern is that 2 of 3 respondents report that their parents don’t monitor their social media, including 58% of fifth and sixth graders.

Researchers also found a sharp increase with girls who do not believe they are smart enough to successfully get to their “dream job.” For fifth and sixth graders, the lack of belief increased from 23% in 2017 to 52% in 2023. Girls in ninth through 12th grades increased from 46% in 2017 to 58% in 2023. Decades of research that I have read has consistently found that girl’s confidence decreases as they get older.

So, what can we as Utahns do to help change these trends in our girls and young women? Although the tasks are complex, we must try. Here are three recommendations:

First, efforts to restrict smartphone and social media use in school environments have been shown to benefit students. As we focus on what is best for all students — and consider the “common good” — they can better prepare for the future by experiencing enhanced learning and skill-development unimpeded by digital distraction.

Second, the study also found that when girls feel like they are accepted and belong at school, they are seven times more likely to feel more confident in their authenticity. School is tough for most youth, but parents, school administrators and teachers can work together to strengthen supportive environments for all students.

Finally, we can all increase our knowledge of mindsets (see Carol Dweck’s work) and use this knowledge to help children and youth develop internal motivation to learn and grow, instead of focusing on external motivation factors. We can help youth develop confidence and well-being from the inside out.

It is time for us to step forward to be more involved in helpful and positive ways for the future generations of Utahns. We must have “A Bolder Way Forward” to shift Utah so that more girls and young women can thrive.

Susan R. Madsen is the Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the founding director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project.