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Do you find yourself wondering, does social media do more harm than good to my child? If so, you’re in good company. These days, many parents have such concerns.
Social media is a big part of most teens’ lives. But beneath the deceptively pleasant surface of likes, comments, and shares, the virtual world can be a breeding ground for bullying, body shaming, and other harmful content that can adversely affect psychological health.
Social media and teens: How prevalent is social media?
Social media has become so woven into teenage life that it’s almost hard to envision adolescence before it. For many teens, it’s the first thing they check in the morning and the last thing they see at night—an ever-present companion that keeps them entertained all day long. According to a recent survey, 95% of teens aged 13–17 are active on social media, with 45% reporting they’re online “almost constantly.”
Teenage social media pros and cons: How it affects mental health
Benefits of social media for teens
Although social media can have adverse effects on teens’ mental health, we shouldn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Why is social media good for teens? Online peer connections allow teens to share what’s going on in their lives—just as landline phones did four decades ago. Here are some other positive effects of social media:
Opportunities for creative self-expression
Social media offers a platform for creative self-expression, allowing teens to showcase their talents and express themselves authentically. Artists can find their voice on Instagram by sharing their paintings and connecting with art lovers who appreciate their unique style. Musicians can share original songs on TikTok and collaborate with others they meet online.
A sense of belonging for marginalized groups
Social media can provide a vital sense of connection for members of marginalized communities, such as minorities, those with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. Imagine feeling isolated and finding a TikTok community that speaks your language, shares your traditions, and celebrates your heritage. Such feelings of belonging can be life-changing for youth who have difficulty finding others in the non-virtual world who share their cultural background.
For those with disabilities, social media can be a space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of living in a world ill-suited to meet their needs. They can share experiences, exchange advice, and support one another.
Such online connections can be a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration, reminding teens that they’re not alone and that their experiences are valid and valued. They can also foster a sense of community and solidarity, helping create a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Support for mental health and wellness
Imagine being able to reach out to a mental health professional or join a support group with just a few clicks. Social media makes it possible, providing access to resources and tools that can help young people manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. For example, mental health influencers use the power of social media to connect individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders with the assistance they desperately need. They also use online platforms to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
Negative effects of social media on teenagers
Though initially intended as tools for connection and community, social media platforms have morphed into places where individuals also unleash their dark sides, engaging in casual cruelty. The impact of social media on teens’ mental health can therefore be devastating. Here are some of social media’s negative effects:
Cyberbullying and online harassment
The internet’s anonymity can encourage people to say things they would never dare say in person, leaving teens vulnerable to hurtful messages and posts. Many are frequently on edge due to the deeply hurtful comments and ridicule they encounter when they log in to a social media platform. It’s a heavy burden for adolescents to carry, one that can have long-lasting detrimental effects on their mental health.
Feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem
An insatiable need for social media validation can cause teens to become dependent on a continuous stream of likes, comments, and followers. Adolescents are constantly bombarded with carefully curated images that showcase the seeming perfection of their peers’ lives. This can cause them to feel envious or unable to measure up.
Some teens alter their appearance to match the unrealistic ideals they see online. Even if they know such images are AI-generated and created to sell a product or promote a brand, they often feel a need to conform just to be accepted.
Similarly, social media can perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes and damaging gender norms, particularly for teen girls. Its never-ending procession of unrealistic beauty standards and sexualized images can lead to body dissatisfaction, self-objectification, and eating disorders.
Physiological changes
Social media may even alter the structure and function of users’ brains, particularly the regions related to reward processing, emotional regulation, and social cognition. This rewiring of neural pathways can make it harder for teens to disengage from the constant stream of online information.
The never-ending notifications and alerts can also disrupt circadian rhythms, a common cause of chronic insomnia. Because sleep is so essential for emotional regulation and cognitive function, sleep deprivation can make mental health challenges more acute.
Signs that social media is harming your teen’s mental health
As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your teen struggling with the pressures of social media. Here are some signs that it may be taking a toll on their mental health:
- Withdrawal from social activities: Avoiding social interactions or spending more time alone than usual, which could be a sign that social media is replacing in-person connections.
- Negative self-comparison: Constantly comparing themselves unfavorably to others, feeling like they don’t measure up, or criticizing their own appearance or accomplishments. Such thoughts can lead to a vicious cycle of self-doubt, low self-esteem, and depression.
- Obsession with validation: Basing their self-worth on likes, comments, or followers, which suggests an unhealthy reliance on external validation.
- Sleep disturbances: Difficulty sleeping, insomnia, or sleep deprivation due to fear of missing out (FOMO) or staying up late to scroll through feeds or check notifications.
- Problems with body image: Developing a negative body image, low self-esteem, or desire to alter their appearance to fit an ideal. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors like extreme dieting, excessive exercise, or eating disorders.
Remember, while these signs don’t necessarily mean your teen is struggling with social media addiction, they indicate a need for open and honest conversations about your teen’s online interactions and their impact on mental well-being.
Helping your adolescent use social media safely
If you’re concerned about social media safety for teens, here are some ways to encourage your child to reap its benefits while avoiding its dangers:
Set boundaries
Set boundaries that promote healthy social media use, such as daily screen time limits and tech-free zones in your home. Prohibiting device use in certain areas, like at the dinner table or in the living room, demonstrates to your teen that while there’s a time and place for social media, real-life connections are just as valuable.
Talk about it
Have open and honest conversations with your teen, asking about their social media experiences and sharing your own. For example, discuss a time when you were cyberbullied or how you handled a challenging online situation.
By sharing your experiences, you’ll build trust and rapport with your child, making it easier for them to share their own. This makes it more likely they’ll come to you when they have a problem instead of seeking advice from someone who might provide unhelpful or inaccurate information.
Minimize dangers
Teach your teen the dangers of social media and how to minimize them. For example, emphasize the importance of keeping personal information private and not sharing their location in real time.
Help them develop a critical eye
Encourage your teen to investigate dubious claims by fact-checking sources before accepting them as truth. This will help them develop a healthy dose of skepticism, which protects them from online scams, misinformation, and manipulation.
Know when to seek professional help
If your teen is struggling with mental health issues caused or exacerbated by social media use, there’s a treatment option you may not have considered: online counseling. While many teens today face mental health challenges, due to busy lives and remote home locations, not all can attend in-person therapy. With online teen therapy, adolescents can receive treatment and support from the comfort of their own homes to effectively address any mental health issues related to social media use, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This virtual approach offers a sense of security and anonymity, which is especially important for teens who feel vulnerable or embarrassed when seeking help.
Teenagers and social media: Final thoughts
Despite the many positive effects of social media on teenagers, it poses several risks. Though the internet has its dark side, the question is no longer, “Should kids have social media?” That ship has sailed. Instead, parents should teach their teens to avoid the pitfalls of social media, encouraging them to use it in ways that enrich rather than detract from their lives. By guiding your teen toward a healthier relationship with social media, you’ll help them forge a balanced, fulfilling life.