Adolescents, who use social media the most, have made it a necessary part of their daily lives. The impact of social media on adolescent mental health has drawn a lot of attention as technology develops and connectivity grows. Social media includes concerns including anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and cyberbullying, but it also provides chances for emotional support and social interaction. This article addresses potential risk-easing techniques and examines the advantages and disadvantages of social media use for adolescent mental health.
Positive Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health:
Adolescents can get a lot from social media, including making friends, creating a sense of self, and receiving emotional support. Adolescents often turn to social media to keep up friendships, find supportive associations, and share experiences, all of which can improve their well-being, according to a study by Best, Manktelow, and Taylor (2014). Social media, for example, enables teenagers to discover friends who share their interests and express themselves creatively, which increases their sense of self-worth and belonging (O’Reilly et al., 2018).
Social media even gave adolescents a virtual area to maintain relationships with friends during stressful or lonely moments, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding those who had few online interactions, those who could keep up their connections during the pandemic reported feeling less alone and isolated, according to a study by Scott et al. (2021).
Negative Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health:
Social media use among adolescents can have serious negative consequences on their mental health even despite these possible advantages. The connection between social media use and issues with anxiety, depression, and body image is one of the most talked-about topics. Adolescents who use social media regularly are more likely to experience feelings of anxiety and depression, according to research by Vannucci, Flannery, and Ohannessian (2017). This is because of things like cyberbullying, social comparison, and the pressure to display a perfect life online.
Another serious problem related to social media is cyberbullying. As opposed to conventional forms of bullying, cyberbullying can happen around the clock, resulting in extended exposure and worsened effects on mental health (Patchin & Hinduja, 2018). Cyberbullying victims often deal with anxiety, sadness, and even thoughts of suicide (Twenge & Campbell, 2018). Also, eating disorders and body dissatisfaction may arise in adolescents who participate in social comparison on social media, especially regarding looks (Fardouly et al., 2018).
Keeping Benefits and Risks in Check:
Social media has two effects, so it is necessary to have policies that encourage responsible usage while minimizing the risks. Digital literacy campaigns that educate adolescents on how to interact intelligently with social media content are one successful strategy. These kinds of training can assist children in recognizing false representations of reality and developing better online behaviors. According to a systematic review by Keles, McCrae, and Grealish (2020), teenagers who are more digitally literate are better able to deal with the negative aspects of social media use.
To help adolescents understand the challenges of social media, parental involvement, and open communication are also necessary. According to studies, adolescents who have conversations about their internet conduct and receive supportive parental supervision are less likely to participate in risky activities and suffer negative consequences for their mental health (Odgers & Jensen, 2020). Adolescents may have fewer adverse consequences if social media use is encouraged to be thoughtful and seek quality over quantity.
Conclusion
Social media has a complicated effect on adolescent mental health, having positive and negative effects. Adolescents who use social media are at risk for issues including cyberbullying, anxiety, and depression, even though it also provides chances for emotional support and connection. The advantages and disadvantages of social media use can be balanced by being aware of these effects and encouraging responsible use. Adolescents can be helped cope with the difficulties of social media in a way that improves their well-being by developing digital literacy, supporting honest communication, and advocating for mindful use.
References
Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. (2014). Social work and social media: Online help-seeking and the mental well-being of adolescent males. British Journal of Social Work, 44(3), 639-657.
Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2018). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. Body Image, 13(1), 38-45.
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93.
Odgers, C. L., & Jensen, M. R. (2020). Annual Research Review: Adolescent mental health in the digital age: Facts, fears, and future directions. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(3), 336-348
