Social media in the current world is a way of life. Children and teenagers are living their teenage years with their social life on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat and are a primary source of communication. These sites are full of positives, varying from staying in touch with friends to getting new ideas, but they too have their negatives, primarily from a mental well-being point of view.
With increased usage of social media by children and youth, concern about its impact on their psychological well-being has also grown. Social media and psychology are inextricably interconnected, though there is no doubt that excessive and unhealthy usage has disastrous psychological ramifications. Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals need to be trained about the relationship between social media and psychological well-being so that children and youth can utilize the online world in a healthier and safer way.
St. Wilfred’s School, Mira Road, one of the best school in Thane, recognizes the importance of addressing this issue and strives to equip students with the tools to navigate social media responsibly, ensuring their mental well-being is safeguarded.
The Positive Aspects of Social Media for Teenagers and Children
Before we proceed to the downside of the usage of social media, the upside has to be appreciated. Social media can be a very significant aspect of a teenager’s life since it enables them to remain in touch with their friends, create their social network, and belong. Social media sites can provide the opportunity for teenagers to:
- Stay Connected: Social media enables teenagers and young people to stay connected with family and friends, particularly when physical contact is restricted. In social distancing situations, e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic, social media acted as a lifeline for numerous people to stay connected with family members.
- Access Information and Education: Social media can be utilized as a learning tool if utilized in the right way. Sites such as YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram have a lot of educational content, tutorials, and tips from experts that can enhance the knowledge of an adolescent. Adolescents can subscribe to experts or content providers in different areas—from science and arts to self-help—learning something useful.
- Promote Creativity: Social media is utilized by most teens and children to express their creativity. Whether it is dance videos on Meta, vlogs on YouTube, or art exhibitions on Instagram, social media can be a place for teens to express their creativity, experiment with new skills, and become celebrities.
- Create Communities: Social media provides an individual with a sense of belonging. For minorities, niche communities on sites such as Reddit or Twitter can offer support, counseling, and solidarity that they might not receive from their immediate physical surroundings.
- Raise Awareness and Advocacy: Social media empowers teenagers to raise their voices for important social and political issues. Climate change, mental illness awareness, and many more social and political issues are advocated by teenagers with the influence of social media, which empowers them to believe that they can change things.
Though these are the positives of social media that may allow children and teenagers to thrive, it must be emphasized that the dangers of social media use may outweigh its benefits if not checked.
The Destructive Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
While the advantages are rampant, the social media-mental health connection is becoming more worrisome. Numerous studies have indicated that too much social media usage may lead to anxiety, depression, and low-esteem in teenagers and adolescents. What follows is a summary of the possible mental health dangers:
1. Cyberbullying
Among the largest threats that social media presents to kids and adolescents is cyberbullying. The sole variation between cyberbullying and traditional bullying is that cyberbullying takes place over the internet, most often on social media websites. Cyberbullying can be unstoppable because nasty messages, humiliating pictures, or menacing messages can be published at any time that any person wants. For the vast majority of adolescents, the anonymity of social media can cause more cruel and humiliating bullying. The psychological effects of cyberbullying can be devastatingly harmful and can lead to feelings of isolation, self-worthlessness, and even suicide and self-harm.
2. Body Image Problems
Social media platforms, particularly visual media platforms such as Instagram, are potential sources of unrealistic expectations of the body. Adolescents are exposed to photoshopped and edited images of “ideal” bodies, typically unhealthy standards that can impact their self-perception negatively. Constant comparison with celebrities, influencers, and peers can lead to body dissatisfaction, negative self-esteem, and increased risk for eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Studies have shown that the more time adolescents spend on social media, the greater the likelihood of them being dissatisfied with their appearance and at risk for body image issues.
3. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
The carefully curated life of social media has the potential to create a skewed perception of reality. While teens scroll through their feed and view friends partying, traveling, or going to social gatherings, they feel left behind or missing out on something. This sense of “FOMO” can cause anxiety and depression, as children and teens believe that their life is not as exciting or richer than others. FOMO can also result in social pressure, as teens feel the need to keep posting their lives or keep up with the latest trends in an effort to fit in.
4. Sleep Disturbance and Addiction
Social media is addictive. Teens spend hours gazing at feeds, watching videos, or sending messages to friends, which can form unhealthy habits. How social media is set up and designed, with algorithms pushing individuals to use the site more by showing them content linked to what they’re doing, is an enormous part of why social media is so addictive. This constant stimulation will disrupt a teen’s sleep. Too much screen time, particularly later in the night, has been found to have a negative impact on sleep quality, leading to fatigue, irascibility, and impairment in the ability to focus the following day. Lack of sleep can exacerbate mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
5. Loneliness and Isolation
Even though social media is supposed to keep people connected, too much use can even isolate an individual and make them lonely. Teens can spend so much time online, communicating with other people, that they lose the ability to communicate face-to-face. This makes them lonely since relationships online are not as intimate and emotionally satisfying as face-to-face relationships. Social media is also guaranteed to make you feel like you are around people, but remain alone emotionally.
6. Anxiety and Depression
The pressure of maintaining a perfect image on social media can lead to major mental health problems. The constant need for affirmation in the form of likes, comments, and shares can create anxiety, especially among adolescents who are desperate for the approval and affirmation of their peers. The fear of rejection and being “unliked” can create feelings of low self-esteem and misery. Additionally, social media’s culture of comparison can make adolescents feel that their lives are short of the highlight reels they see on social media, leading to depression.
How to Minimize the Negative Effect of Social Media on Mental Health
Even though social media is a problem, its negative impact on the psychological health of children and young people can be addressed by implementing some steps:
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Set Boundaries and Limit Screen Time
Parents and guardians should establish tight rules regarding the time spent by children on social media. Limiting screen time, especially at night, can result in improved sleep and in-person interaction with family members and friends.
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Promote Healthy Social Media Use
Challenge teens to engage with positive role models who advocate self-acceptance, mental health, and creativity. Challenge them to employ social media in a way that is empowering and builds a positive relationship with the sites.
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Monitor Online Behavior
Maintain an open line of communication with your child regarding their online existence. Encourage them to report any uncomfortable experiences they have on social media, such as being cyberbullied.
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Educate on Body Positivity
Be a role model and discuss the unattainable body presentation on social media. Educate teenagers to accept their own uniqueness rather than comparing themselves to others they view on social media.
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Create Face-to-Face Social Relationships
Encourage your teen to get involved in extracurricular or community programs where there can be face-to-face social interaction. Having real-life friendships can keep loneliness and isolation away.
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Seek Professional Assistance
If a teenager is showing symptoms of severe anxiety, depression, or other mental illness due to social media, consult with a mental care professional. Therapy and counseling can assist in managing the emotional problems associated with the use of social media.
Conclusion
Social media is a double-edged sword with the ability to empower and hurt the lives of children and adolescents. Although it can promote connection, creativity, and learning, it also has devastating impacts on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and body image concerns. As parents, caregivers, and teachers, it is our role to teach children and adolescents a healthy relationship with social media. By establishing boundaries, promoting positive content, and opening communication channels, we can counteract the negative impacts and ensure that adolescents use social media in ways that promote their well-being, resilience, and happiness.
St. Wilfred’s School, Mira Road, one of the top school in Thane, plays an active role in guiding students on how to engage with social media responsibly, fostering a balanced and positive approach to the digital world.