How Social Media Is Affecting Adolescent Mental Health
Connection can be just as important as other basic human needs, like food, water, and shelter.
Due to advances in technology, you no longer have to be in the same room as someone to communicate. And it doesn’t involve writing a letter, sending an email, or texting or calling them on the phone either.
Social media is another way to reach people directly through your fingertips. While social media helps you stay up to date with people from all over the world and can help you find new friends and express yourself, it also comes with a lot of negatives as well.
There are impossible standards to keep up with. Here’s how social media is affecting adolescent mental health.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a new form of bullying that occurs through digital platforms. Users can leave offensive comments or send direct messages that can be hurtful to one’s overall mental health and wellness. A lot of lies and misinformation can also be spread through social media platforms.
Dissatisfaction with One’s Life
Everyone on social media posts their highlight reel or best version of themselves. They may have taken hundreds of photos to get that perfect shot they want to post and share with others. Your teen may be scrolling and constantly seeing brand names, vacations, and other things that they don’t have. They may question why they aren’t partaking in the same adventures or have the same material goods. This can cause them to become jealous or dissatisfied with their own life.
Insecurities
On top of carefully curating a shot, there are a ton of applications that can alter, enhance, or completely change someone’s physical appearance. It can be difficult for someone to even know what’s real versus fake anymore. Despite there being manipulated images, these images can make your teen start to question their worth. They may struggle with insecurities over their physical appearance.
Fear of Missing Out
Fear of missing out or FOMO is real with social media. A classmate or friend may make a story, post, or reel, sharing something exciting that they did. This could cause your teen to experience feelings of jealousy or inadequacy due to not being invited or not sharing those same experiences. The feeling of missing out can cause social media use to turn into somewhat of an addiction.
Mental Illnesses
Social media isn’t a replacement for real, in-person connections. Face-to-face contact is essential for humans. If your teen is getting a majority of their connection through liking, commenting, or directly messaging someone on social media instead of being around someone in real life, they will be more at risk of developing mental conditions like anxiety or depression.
Strained Relationships
While social media may act as a quick fix for connecting with others, it can actually cause the opposite effect if used too much. Social media can start to negatively impact your teen’s overall mental health and wellness, including the relationships in their life. They may start to withdraw from their family and friends to stay in and mindlessly scroll. This will cause them to miss out on certain activities and events, as well as meeting new people and building on those existing relationships.
Next Steps
While social media comes with a fair share of advantages, there are also many challenges that your teen could be facing. If you suspect your teen is struggling to keep up with the impossible standards of social media, know that you and they are not alone. This is extremely common, especially among teenagers.
It’s important to have that dialogue with your teen about the impact of social media. If it becomes a larger issue, you can implement screen time, social media time tracks, or disabling notifications and/or removing the application completely.
If you’re worried about your teen’s social media usage, consider reaching out for additional support. We’re here to help you and your teen navigate this digital world. Reach out today to learn more about teen counseling.