Teenagers and even children are increasingly devoting a significant chunk of their daily routines to social media and screen time. Surveys reveal that the younger generation is now spending nearly 90 minutes daily on various social media platforms prompting concerns about its potential link to the rising incidence of mental health issues, particularly depression, among adolescents since the early 2010s.
Could there be a connection between excessive screen time and deteriorating mental well-being? This question has garnered significant attention from experts who have been delving into the complex relationship between social media and the psychological health of teenagers.
Negative Impacts of Social Media
Teenagers, whose brains are still in the crucial stages of development, may be particularly susceptible to the detrimental aspects of social media. Researchers have identified several ways in which social media may adversely affect teenagers:
1. Mental Health
Numerous studies suggest that some teenagers are losing valuable sleep due to late-night social media use, while others find themselves distracted during school hours. The lack of sleep can lead to poor academic performance and an increased risk of mental health disorders.
Dr. Neha Chaudhary, a child and adolescent psychiatrist from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, observes that there are strong negative correlations between social media usage and mental health. She believes that social media may contribute to depression, lowered self-esteem, and feelings of loneliness. In fact, a substantial 2019 study linked extended social media use to a higher risk of internalizing mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety among young people.
A more recent 2022 study pinpointed the specific age groups most vulnerable to the adverse effects of social media:
- Young women appeared most sensitive to social media between the ages of 11 and 13, with increased usage leading to decreased life satisfaction a year later.
- For males, this phenomenon was more prominent around the ages of 14 to 15.
- Both genders experienced heightened sensitivity to social media around age 19, often using it as a coping mechanism for decreased life satisfaction.
However, research remains mixed on whether social media use directly correlates with an elevated risk of mental health issues. A 2021 study, for instance, found no causative link between social media and depressive symptoms in teenagers, except among girls with already low depression risk.
Peer Pressure
While peer pressure is nothing new for teenagers, social media exacerbates this phenomenon by exposing them to a wider array of influencers and feedback than they would typically encounter in their daily lives. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook can exert substantial influence on adolescents, particularly through the currency of “likes.”
A 2016 study using a social media feed resembling Instagram discovered that teenagers were more inclined to “like” photos with numerous likes already. Furthermore, their brain activity, notably in reward processing and attention-related areas, was more pronounced when viewing images with higher like counts. This trend held true whether the photos depicted risky behaviour or not, indicating that teenagers actively learn from their peers’ online cues and strive for social validation through likes and attention.
Cyberbullying
Chaudhary underscores the fact that social media opens the door for teens to compare themselves with peers and prioritize online communication over in-person interactions. Additionally, it introduces new risks, as teenagers can both perpetrate and fall victim to online harm.
A 2018 Pew Research survey revealed that 59% of U.S. teens experienced cyberbullying, which was associated with increased anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts, according to a 2019 study on college students.
Body Image
Research has uncovered a concerning association between social media and negative body image among teenagers. The platform often exposes them to meticulously edited and perfected images of peers, celebrities, or influencers, fostering an environment ripe for self-comparison.
Linda Charmaraman, a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women, reveals that 21% of teenagers feel negatively about themselves after scrolling through social media, with more than half attributing these feelings to body image concerns. Vulnerable groups include females, those with extensive online peer networks, frequent social media checkers, and followers of celebrities.
Moreover, these body image issues tend to persist into young adulthood. A 2019 study involving undergraduate college women found that those who engaged with attractive female peers on social media were more likely to experience negative feelings about their own bodies than those who interacted with family members on social platforms.
Positive Aspects of Social Media
It is essential to acknowledge that social media isn’t entirely detrimental to teenagers. The Pew survey indicates that 31% of teens view social media use as “mostly positive” in their lives, while only 24% describe it as “mostly negative.” The remaining 45% consider its impact neither positive nor negative.
According to Linda Charmaraman, social media usage can have positive effects, such as fostering a sense of social connectivity, self-esteem, emotional expression and control, and identity development. Over half of the teens in Charmaraman’s study reported giving and receiving emotional support online, which can be particularly crucial for those dealing with illness, navigating LGBTQ+ identities, or facing other isolating experiences.
Guidance for Parents in Nurturing Healthy Social Media Use
Parents play a vital role in helping their teenagers navigate the world of social media. Setting limitations and encouraging responsible usage can ensure that social media contributes positively to their child’s life without the drawbacks:
- Establish restrictions, such as curfews or time limits, on social media usage to promote overall well-being.
- Monitor your teenager’s social media behaviour by following their accounts or gaining access to their profiles.
- Engage in open conversations about expectations regarding social media etiquette, addressing issues like cyberbullying and responsible communication.
- Encourage breaks from social media, as a 2022 study found that even a one-week hiatus could improve well-being and reduce depression and anxiety.
Dr. Chaudhary advises parents to communicate with their teenagers about how social media makes them feel, emphasising the importance of modelling responsible social media use themselves. By taking a proactive approach, parents can help their children develop a healthy relationship with social media in this digital age.
