How Social Media Affects Teens Mental Health

There’s truly no escaping social media platforms these days- even (or most especially so) for teens. Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok has woven itself into the fabric of their daily lives.

70% of teenagers (13-17) check social media several times a day. Most teens in the U.S spend at least 4.8 hours using seven popular social media apps. YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram accounts for 87% of their social media time. TikTok has also rocketed in popularity since its North American debut a few years ago and now is a top social media platform for teens.

This, in turn, highly influences how they interact, learn, and even perceive themselves. While social media can open many wonderful opportunities for connection, education, and self-expression it also comes with its own set of disadvantages such as cyberbullying, anxiety, and issues with body image. Let's take a look at it in detail and what you can do as a parent, or guardian, or if you are struggling with these issues yourself. 

One of the darkest sides for anyone delving into social media is cyberbullying and harassment. This is a reality for many teens today. The anonymity of the internet is a terrible space that can make bullies bolder. 

28% of teens have experienced various forms of cyberbullying and 46% of internet users aged 13 to 17 years have faced online harassment.

They may log into their favorite app and see hurtful messages or embarrassing posts themselves. And unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying, unfortunately, follows them home, making it harder for them to escape.

These can lead to a multitude of mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, and in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm.

It's very easy to feel like everyone has the perfect life when you’re scrolling through the world of Instagram, Tiktok, or Youtube. Perfect bodies, perfect skin, perfect everything. But mostly everything is curated in social media.

Pictures are often edited and filtered, which inhibits an unrealistic social standard. Teens may naturally have lower self-esteem because they are undergoing puberty. Their hormones are changing and they’re constantly learning about themselves. Constantly comparing themselves to these idealized standards can hurt their self-esteem even more.

This can also lead teens to feel they can't measure up, making them strive to do so. When they feel they fall short, it can result in body dissatisfaction and even eating disorders. 

For instance, people who post about fitness or fashion can state how easy it is to achieve a certain type of body shape or look.

Teenagers spend 7 hours and 22 minutes per day in front of screens. This is about 43% of a teen’s waking hours.

It’s no surprise that social media addiction exists. Even adults can find themselves in an endless cycle of doom scrolling. Apart from the points above, teens are going through adolescence. This phase is where they build their identity, sense of values, social circle, and more. Excessive use can interfere with their real-life interactions and relationships, affecting their social skills and ability to communicate face-to-face. Social media can also interfere with schoolwork, hobbies, and real-life relationships. Teens might find themselves glued to their screens, missing out on real-world experiences.

Many teens use social media late into the night, which can ultimately mess with their routines and sleep schedules. Apart from endless scrolling, the blue light from the screen can trick their brains into thinking it's still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep. This creates a domino effect with much worse complications. 

Not getting enough sleep can make teens feel more stressed and anxious, lowering their ability to concentrate, and affecting their mood. Teens who don't get enough rest are more likely to feel irritable and have trouble managing their emotions.

Now the question is: what do you do?

As a parent, guardian, or educator, you can help teens navigate the world of social media intuitively.

• Set their social media boundaries. As early as they start being exposed to social media, establish screen time. This helps with routine and can ensure other time for other activities like homework, sports, and hanging out with friends in real life.
• Communication. Children will be left confused (or left longing for more) if you simply just ban them from social media. Instead of doing this, educate or get to know them more. Ask them what they like about social media and if they’ve ever had any negative experiences. Keeping the conversation open and judgment-free makes it easier for them to come to you if something goes wrong.
• Set the standard. Show them how it’s done by leading an example. When they see you putting down your phone at dinner or not checking it constantly, they’re more likely to do the same.
• Delay cellphone access. A child's development can be facilitated by postponing access to personal mobile phones until they are at least 14 years old. It improves cognitive and social abilities by increasing in-person interactions and eliminating distractions that might hinder academic performance. This delay also benefits mental health by reducing the risks of worry, sadness, and sleep disturbances that come with early mobile phone usage. Furthermore, it improves safety by lowering exposure to online hazards and stimulates healthy physical behaviors by lowering screen time.
  

Digital literacy

Education is a key theme here. Teach your teens to think critically about what they see online. Explain that not everything they see is true or realistic. Encourage them to question things like edited photos and clickbait headlines.

Again, instead of banning them, provide them with healthier alternatives like going for a walk, reading a book, or playing a sport. This helps create a healthy balance.

You can also equip them with strategies to handle negativity online. Teach them how to report and block abusive users and remind them that their worth isn’t tied to social media validation.

Mental health

Sometimes teens need extra support, and this is completely okay. Make sure they know about the support available to them, like school counselors or online helplines. Having someone to talk to can make a huge difference. If your teen is struggling, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Therapists and counselors can offer valuable strategies and support for dealing with issues like anxiety and depression.

FundamentalChange is here to provide you with ample resources for navigating teen mental health challenges. Click here to access them.