How much time do you spend on social media daily? How does it affect your daily life?
Whether social media is good or bad is a topic that is constantly being debated. It’s a topic discussed among teens, families, and schools. Some might feel that the positive aspects of social media outweigh the negative, while others might say that the negative aspects outweigh the positive. Whatever your opinion may be, the truth is that social media has highly impacted the lives of teenagers.
Over the last decade, social media has expanded exponentially. Its development has helped us achieve much as a society, but it also changed how we see things. Social media has reshaped the way people, especially teenagers, view and feel about themselves, and many feel that this creates a harmful experience. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center report from Emily A. Vogels and Risa Gelles-Watnick, 32% of teens say that social media has had mostly negative effects on people their age. Vogels and Gelles-Watnick also report that 38% of teens say that what they see on social media makes them feel overwhelmed because of all the drama. Roughly three-in-ten say it makes them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things or feel pressure to post content that will get lots of comments or likes (29%).
With social media, there are many unrealistic expectations that seem almost impossible to attain. These standards have a direct impact on self- esteem. According to a report conducted by Newport Academy, an academic network focused on the mental health of young people, “Teenagers on social media spend much of their time observing the lives and images of their peers. This leads to constant comparisons, which can damage self-esteem and body image.” This leads teens to become insecure and uncomfortable in their own bodies.
Another issue that comes with social media is its impact on mental health. According to Kathy Katella of Yale Medicine, teens in America ages 12-15 who use social media for over three hours each day face twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms. Sadly, this amount of time spent on social media is now considered the norm. Katella’s point is important because mental health issues triggered by social media can affect teens for the rest of their lives.
One would think that the negative aspects of social media would discourage people from using it, but it is the complete opposite. The Pew study noted earlier states that 55% of teens say it would be very hard to give up social media. This is especially troubling when one considers that the same teens, about a third of them, (36%), “say they spend too much time on social media.” Social media has an intense chokehold on our society, and it won’t let go anytime soon.
As teens, most of our relationships are centered around social media. We worry about whether or not our friends posted a picture of our most recent outing, or if our significant other put our initials in their bio. These overwhelming thoughts can define and affect the quality of relationships. According to a report conducted by Pew research center, 27% of teens say social media makes them feel jealous or unsure about their relationship.
By the looks of it, social media isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, as it has been ingrained into our society and, in some respects, taken control of our lives. But there are some ways to ensure that you don’t become too overwhelmed. If you find yourself feeling upset after spending time on a social media platform, consider reducing the amount of time that you spend online and try more hands-on activities such as reading books or finding a new hobby. Social media can be overwhelming but, if you set boundaries and rules for yourself, you’ll be able to create a healthy balance.
