It’s no secret we’re growing up in a world controlled by social media. Since the beginning of our teenage years, we have heard the same things over and over again: “Social media is not good for you!”, and “It’s gonna ruin your mental health!”. But, does it really have a long lasting effect on us, or are our parents just annoyed that we spend more time on TikTok than on homework?
The Positive: When Used Mindfully
Self-Expression: Social media provides an easily accessible platform for finding your voice and being able to express it. When used for good, many teens are able to express things that they may have not been able to without the help of social media. Hearing the voices of not only adults, but also teens, is very important for our society, as we become the new leaders of the world.
Social Connections: Social media is a way for teens to stay updated and friends and families lives, even if they can’t see them in person. These platforms are a way for teenagers to keep in touch with the rest of their peers, “76% of all teens use social media” (PewResearchCenter). In an increasingly digital world, teens rely on social media to sustain friendships and remain associated within their peer communities.
But… is this really a good thing?
The Negative: Often Linked to Heavy Use
Mental Health: It is common knowledge that our generation is in a mental health crisis, and it’s not just because of lifestyle choices. Social media is one of the many causes of increased depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts, especially in us teens. When your day consists of doomscrolling and the constant comparison of yourself to what you see online, of course it’s going to affect your self esteem and isolation. We all get told that not everything you see online is real, but it’s hard to believe those words when your feed is just “perfect life” after “perfect body”.
Knowing TOO Much: Media overload is a term used to describe when teenagers feel overwhelmed mentally from constant digital input. It’s hard to disconnect yourself from all of the negativity in the world when you’re exposed to it non-stop and on a daily basis. This issue isn’t the knowledge itself, but instead the way social media delivers it to you. When distressing and overwhelming news is delivered to us in such unfiltered ways, it can lead to feelings over hopelessness and powerlessness. Young minds aren’t ready to be bashed by the constant negativity social media brings.
FOMO – The Fear of Missing Out: High school is hard and finding true friends can be even harder. Social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are often used by teenagers to show off the exciting trips they take or fun activities they did with their friends over the weekend. If you’re alone at home on a Friday night and scroll to see people you know having fun with each other, it leads to this strong feeling of FOMO. This fear of missing out creates a need to constantly check what your peers are doing and the need to be caught up with news and new trends. FOMO then opens up a new problem which is that social media is addictive. Doomscrolling is real and getting stuck in that constant cycle is only going to cause more problems.
Apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram are only a positive outlet if you make it positive. As a teen, there are things you can do to keep this a way to express yourself. To protect your well-being, set reasonable limits on these addictive apps, step back when your feed is dominated by negativity, and only accept friend requests from people you truly know. As social media continues to shape a generation, the challenge is not to eliminate it, but to make its influence healthier and more meaningful.
