Social media has become deeply embedded in teenage life. Today, teens spend hours daily interacting on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. However, there are growing concerns about the impacts of social media on mental health outcomes in adolescents. The relationship between social media usage and teenage mental health has diverse impacts. Evidence shows that increased social media exposure relates to poorer mental health indicators in teenagers’ age. Evidence will demonstrate correlations between high social media consumption and worsening psychological well-being. Potential factors include addictive behaviors, cyberbullying, superficial peer connections, and passive scrolling. As social media plays an increasingly pivotal role in adolescence, understanding its links to issues like lowered mood and self-image can help safeguard teenage populations at risk for mental health declines. This paper examines how frequency and type of social media use impacts depression, anxiety, and self-esteem in teens ages 13-17.
First, research shows that teenagers who spend more total time on social media each day tend to have worse mental health. A 2017 study found that as teens used Facebook, Instagram, and other apps more hours per day, they had higher rates of depression and thoughts about suicide. The researchers used surveys to ask teens questions about their social media habits and mental health. They found a clear connection between more daily social media use and poorer well-being (Twenge et al., 2017,para1). This suggests that increased exposure to social media through spending a lot of time on it negatively impacts the mental health of teens.
Secondly, the types of social media sites and platforms teenagers use also matter. The links between specific sites and how teens use them and correlation to anxiety and depression. It found connections between Instagram, scrolling without posting much, and mental health problems in teens. The study said this shows looking at both where and how teens spend time online gives useful information. Passively looking at sites may not affect mental health the same as actively posting and interacting (Woods & Scott, 2016, para 2). This research indicates analyzing the types of social media sites and how teens engage on them provides insight into mental health outcomes.
Another concerning pattern is addictive behaviors on social media behaviors among teens. The study found some teens had trouble limiting use and felt upset when they could not check their accounts, which may signal addiction (“SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AND YOUNG PEOPLE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE,” 2020, pg. 539, para 5) The researcher said this obsessive relationship with social media could make mental health worse through issues like social comparison and choosing online relationships over in-person ones. So, signs of possible social media addiction, like constantly checking it or lack of control over its use, are linked to poorer well-being. This suggests addictive types of social media engagement can negatively impact teenagers.
Cyberbullying is a big concern when it comes to social media and teens. Studies found that teens who were cyberbullied with hurtful posts and messages online were more likely to have depression, anxiety, and loneliness (Kao, 2021, para 2). Cyberbullying is different from regular bullying because the hurtful messages and content stay online forever. Everyone can keep seeing it over and over. For the teen being bullied, this can make them feel like they have no escape. It’s like they are under constant threat of being attacked online. The harmful effects of the cyberbullying show that social media can seriously impact the mental health of teens. Bullying and harassment online seem to really take a toll on teens’ well-being. This is why it’s so important to look at both the good and bad sides of social media for teenagers.
Teens need real relationships, not just superficial social media ones. Studies found teen girls who scroll and follow peers on Instagram with no real connection had lower self-esteem (K. Davis, 2013, para 2). Having mostly surface-level social media relationships instead of close friendships hurt their well-being. Making real, caring relationships is key for healthy growth in the teen years. Social media interactions that don’t meet this deep relationship need can impact mental health. The quality of social media relationships matters more than how many followers or friends teens have.
Studies show that when teens spend a lot of time on social media every day, it connects to worse mental health. Important things to look at are total daily use, certain sites like Instagram, and how they use it – just scrolling or actively posting. Signs of possible addiction to social media are also worrying. And cyberbullying is a big issue that can harm teens’ mental health. As social media keeps becoming more and more central to teenage life, we need more research. This research can help find teens who are at high risk for mental health problems from social media. It can also guide the creation of supportive programs and rules to protect teens. The main goal should be helping teens strike a healthy balance between their online and offline worlds. Research gives insights into how to educate and empower teens to develop positive social media habits.
Kao, K. (2021, March 30). Social media addiction linked to cyberbullying. UGA Today. Social media addiction linked to cyberbullying (uga.edu)
SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AND YOUNG PEOPLE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE. (2020). Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(13). https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.13.97
Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2017). Increases in depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702617723376
Woods, H. C., & Scott, H. (2016). #Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Journal of Adolescence, 51, 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.05.008