Social Media Impact on Teens: A Look at Teen Health

Social media is a constant in life for most people, especially teenagers.  According to the research, 90% of teenagers are on at least one social media site.  Adolescents and teens today are the first generation to have grown up with social media and do not know the world without it.

The average teen spends up to 9 hours per day on social media platforms.

In general, social media affects adolescent girls more than boys. Girls tend to be socialized more to compare themselves to others (especially other girls) and thus develop their identities based on the “results” of the comparisons. But no teenager is immune. Social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, can have a tremendous impact on teenagers’ health and well-being.

The Prevalence of Social Media Use Among Teens

Social media use is nearly universal among teenagers, with up to 95% of teens aged 13-17 reporting use of a social media platform. According to a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, 35% of teens use at least one of five social media platforms more than several times a day. The most popular social media platforms among teens are YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The widespread use of social media among teens has raised concerns about its impact on their mental health, with some studies suggesting a link between excessive social media use and poor mental health outcomes.

Negative Effects of Social Media on Teens: Poor Mental Health Outcomes

1. Depression and Anxiety

There is mounting evidence for the correlation between the amount of time an adolescent spends on social media and overall mental health issues, including emotion regulation, mood, and behavior. Essentially, this evidence points to a strong link between social media use and mental health disorders (such as depression and anxiety) in young people.  Research on social media and mental health confirms young people who spend more than two hours per day on social media sites are far more likely to report negative mental health effects, including symptoms of depression and anxiety, than those who do not.  Yet this research is showing correlation, not causation, meaning the sites themselves may not actually be causing the mental health problems, but the effects of these sites are.

Over the past few years, social media use has increased significantly, which directly connects to the increase in the number of youth using smartphones.  Yet social media use has not been the only significant increase.  Unfortunately, suicide rates amongst adolescents and teens have also risen significantly (33% increase).  Again, while these studies may not show causation, there are some very strong correlations here.

2. Addiction

Social media can be extremely habit-forming, becoming almost like an addiction for some tens.  Some have even described social media as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.  Internet addiction is described as the uncontrollable use of the Internet, resulting in excessive time consumption and/or social dysfunction.  Also concerning about the potential to become addicted to the Internet is that frequent and consistent Internet use can alter brain chemistry.  Some studies show decreased gray matter and neurotransmitter changes in teenagers who are “excessive users.”

3. Sleep Deprivation

Being an active social media user can greatly impact a teenager’s regular sleep cycle.  Up to 42% of teens look at social media of some sort before going to bed. Teenagers often stay up late using social media, or have interrupted sleep due to social media notifications popping up on their phone.  Studies show electronic screens emit a light that disrupts circadian rhythms by delaying the body’s release of melatonin.

The sleep deprivation associated with social media has other serious ramifications.  Sleep deprivation in teens can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, obesity, and poor school performance. 

4. Low self-esteem

In general, adolescents and teenagers make up the population most prone to struggling with low self-esteem.  Yet, with the advent and immense popularity of social media websites, low self-esteem is plaguing more teens than ever before.  Social media can take a toll on a teenagers confidence and self-worth in different ways.

Being on social media means potentially being exposed to hundreds of images of other people (friends, peers, celebrities, etc.) per day. When people post images, they tend to post the very best or the “ideal” version of themselves. This is especially true when celebrities post, given the immense amount of retouching that is done to those photos. Social media can also contribute to eating disorders by promoting unattainable beauty standards that distort self-perception. Unfortunately, this sets forth an unattainable, unrealistic beauty and/or body standard. Many teens then compare themselves to what they see on social media, determine they do not meet those standards, and thus, feel bad about themselves.  Social media can contribute to low self-esteem in various ways.

For example, some studies show that when teenage girls view Facebook, even just for a short time, they are more concerned about their body shape and size than non-users.

Bullying of any kind, including cyberbullying, during the adolescent and teenage years, is a major risk factor for several issues, including educational performance, social relationships, and mental health. Unfortunately, the effects of these issues can have enduring consequences that extend into adulthood.

According to research, nearly one-third of teens have experienced cyberbullying.  Cyberbullying is defined as intentional, repetitive, and aggressive acts aimed at hurting another person emotionally.  Cyberbullying is carried out through electronic media and involves an imbalance of power.  Cyberbullying has the potential to increase a teen’s likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.  Cyberbullying can also cause physical health effects, such as stomachaches, headaches, muscle tension, bed-wetting, and poor appetite.  Adolescents and teens who are the victims of cyberbullying are also at risk of poor school performance.

Obviously, cyberbullying has increased in prevalence as technology and social media continue to expand and evolve.  But what makes cyberbullying so enticing to some is the anonymity with which it can be done.  Not only do young people feel more confident sending hurtful messages through text rather than face-to-face, but also because they can be sent anonymously.  Many teens today create fake or false social media accounts solely to send hateful messages.

5. Interpersonal Relationships

Social media could potentially affect any user’s interpersonal relationships. Yet for adolescents and teenagers (who are still learning how to effectively communicate and establish connections with others), social media almost always jeopardizes the way they interact and form relationships. By spending too much time on social media, teens miss out on critical social skills and nonverbal social cues. Body language, facial expressions, and tone are all essential social cues and, unfortunately, are things that do not translate over social media or texting platforms. Face-to-face conversations have become increasingly uncomfortable for teens today, as so many are much more accustomed to communicating via social media and Internet chat sites.

Positive Effects and Social Media

While much research supports the growing discussion around the negative effects of social media and teen health, there are studies that suggest an opposing opinion.  Some view social media as a tool that can benefit teenagers in a variety of ways.

• Relationships – although social media sites tend to affect a teenager’s ability to form “real-life” relationships, they also contribute positively in some way. Social media gives teens access to people from across the world, and provides a new way to communicate and make and maintain friendships.
• More informed – social media sites are not only a platform for posting comments and photos, but also providing local, national, and international news. Thus, social media has the potential to make young people more informed.
• Social awareness and empathy – news stories are frequently posted on social media showing the adversities and hardships of others. In this way, social media encourages today’s teenagers to be more aware, and awareness can inspire empathy.

It is important for parents to engage in open communication with their teen’s social media use to promote responsible usage and mitigate negative effects.

Creating a Healthy Social Media Environment

To promote healthy social media use among teens, parents and caregivers can take several steps:

• Set rules and limits on social media use to prevent it from interfering with activities, sleep, meals, or homework.
• Set an example by following these rules yourself to help your teen understand the importance of responsible social media use.
• Monitor your teen’s accounts to stay informed about their online activities.
• Have regular talks with your teen about social media to understand how it’s affecting them and provide guidance on responsible use.
• Teach your teen to question the accuracy of content and to be aware of the potential for unrealistic images and messages on social media.
• Remind your teen not to share personal information with strangers online and to be kind and respectful to others online.

Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

To support teen mental health, parents and caregivers can take several strategies:

• Monitor kids’ social media use to stay informed about their online activities.
• Set limits on social media use to prevent it from interfering with activities, sleep, meals, or homework.
• Have open and honest conversations with teens about social media use and its impact on mental health.
• Encourage teens to engage in offline activities, such as sports, clubs, or volunteering, to promote healthy socialization and reduce reliance on social media.
• Seek professional help if you suspect that your teen is experiencing mental health problems related to social media use.

Keeping Your Teen Safe on Social Media

It’s important to engage with your teen’s online world, as more than 60% of parents don’t monitor their children’s social media. To help keep them safe, ask your teen to show you their social media profiles and observe what they are posting. By making your teen the “expert,” you encourage open conversations, which can break down barriers.

Additionally, encourage face-to-face interactions to help your teen build strong, real-world relationships. Educate them about their “digital footprint” and remind them that everything they post online is visible to the world. This helps promote responsible social media use.