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The excessive use of social media is affecting the mental health of teenagers. it is raising grave concerns.
Moreover, there are platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook. That defines the approach for the new generation of people to contact, communicate, and experience the world.
Yes, there is no denying the fact there are benefits of social media galore. They include expressing creativity, keeping in touch with friends, and finally, accessing information.
Yes, it has also contributed to lumpsum in depleting mental health conditions.
The repercussions of this development include depression, and it goes to the extent of self-harm among teenagers. The issues are hampering the ability of young minds to achieve success socially, emotionally, and even academically. In this study we try to understand, how social media affects the mental health of people.
How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health? Facts And Findings
Research over the past decade has revealed a disturbing trend: rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among teenagers have skyrocketed.
According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, over 70% of teenagers reported feeling anxiety or depression as a major problem among their peers.
More alarmingly, another report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted in the year 2021 reports increased suicidal deaths among individuals aged between ten and twenty-four in the United States.
There are many factors that contribute to the aggravating mental health conditions that youth are facing today. Yes, social media has emerged as one of the key culprits to this development.
There are numerous studies that showcase a direct link between developing anxiety and depression and the time spent on social media.
Online validation and comparison govern the very world. Under the circumstances, the teens face huge pressure and the consequences are quite serious.
The Role Of Social Media In Teen Mental Health Decline
How does social media affect mental health?
Social media platforms have fundamentally changed the way teens interact with each other and the world. While these platforms can foster connection and belonging, they can also have harmful psychological effects. Below are some of the key ways social media contributes to the mental health crisis among teenagers.
1. Comparison Of Culture And Unrealistic Expectations
One of the most damaging aspects of social media is the constant comparison it facilitates. Instagram and Snapchat have abundant images of “perfect” lives—whether it’s celebrities, influencers, or peers.
Images of beauty, wealth, success, and happiness that are often far removed from reality, bombard teenagers.
Filters and photo editing tools allow users to present an idealized version of themselves, which sets unattainable standards for others.
For teens, who are already navigating the emotional turmoil of adolescence, this comparison can be devastating.
Studies have shown that the more time teens spend on social media, the more likely they are to engage in upward social comparisons, leading to feelings of inadequacy and lower self-esteem.
Over time, these feelings can develop into anxiety and depression as teens struggle to live up to the impossible standards they see online.
2. Cyberbullying And Online Harassment
Bullying has always been an issue for teenagers. Social media has made it easier for bullying to extend beyond the schoolyard. It has entered into every corner of a teen’s life.
Cyberbullying—bullying that occurs over digital devices like smartphones and computers. It can be particularly harmful because it can happen 24/7 and be more difficult to escape.
The anonymity of the internet allows people to say things online that they might not say in person. This may, often lead to cruel and relentless bullying.
For teens, cyberbullying can have serious mental health consequences. This includes anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Over 20% of teenagers have experienced cyberbullying, and victims of online harassment are more likely to suffer from mental health issues. This is the report of the Cyberbullying Research Center
3. Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) And Social Anxiety
Social media creates a constant stream of information about what others are doing. It is leading to a heightened fear of missing out (FOMO) among teens.
When teens see their friends hanging out without them or attending events they miss, it may lead to feelings of exclusion and loneliness.
This fear of missing out contributes to social anxiety. Teens feel the pressure to always be connected and available online. The constant need to stay updated on social media can also lead to unhealthy sleep patterns.
Many teens admit that staying up late and scrolling through their feeds exacerbates mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
4. The Addictive Nature Of Social Media
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive. Features like endless scrolling, notifications, and likes, make teenagers keep users engaged for as long as possible.
For teenagers, whose brains are still developing, this constant stimulation can lead to compulsive social media use, where they feel a need to check their accounts repeatedly throughout the day.
This addictive behavior can negatively impact mental health by reinforcing the constant need for validation through likes and comments.
When teens don’t receive the online feedback they expect, it can lead to feelings of rejection, insecurity, and worthlessness—all of which contribute to anxiety and depression. This is one of the explanations for the question, “How does social media affect mental health?”
The Impact Of Social Media On Academic Success
The mental health challenges fueled by social media not only affect teens’ emotional well-being but also have a direct impact on their ability to succeed in school.
Teens struggling with anxiety, depression, and social isolation often find it difficult to concentrate on their studies, participate in class, or maintain healthy relationships with peers and teachers.
Moreover, excessive social media use often leads to sleep deprivation, which negatively impacts cognitive functioning, memory retention, and overall academic performance.
Teens who spend hours scrolling through their feeds late into the night are more likely to experience fatigue and decreased focus during the school day, further hindering their success.
Holding Social Media Companies Accountable
As the negative impact of social media on teen mental health becomes increasingly clear, parents, mental health advocates, and legal professionals are taking action to hold social media companies accountable. Social media litigation services have emerged as a powerful tool to address the harm these platforms are causing to young people’s mental health.
1. Social Media Addiction Lawsuits
People file lawsuits against social media companies like Meta (formerly Facebook), Instagram, and TikTok. There are complaints that they intentionally design platforms to make them addictive and harmful to users, especially teenagers.
These lawsuits argue that social media companies prioritize profit over the well-being of their users by employing algorithms that keep teens engaged at the expense of their mental health.
By taking these companies to court, individuals and advocacy groups aim to force platforms to implement changes that prioritize user safety, such as restricting harmful content, improving privacy protections, and creating healthier user experiences.
2. Privacy And Data Breach Litigation
Another area where people hold social media companies accountable is in the realm of privacy violations.
Many platforms collect vast amounts of data on their users, including teens, and often fail to protect this data adequately. When data breaches occur, sensitive personal information is exposed, potentially leading to identity theft and other forms of exploitation.
Also social media companies face several lawsuits for failing to protect user data. It further highlights the need for stricter regulations.
How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health? We Hope You Got Your Answer
The connection between social media use and the mental health crisis among teenagers is undeniable.
While social media can offer positive experiences, it also exposes teens to harmful comparisons, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and self-harm.
These mental health challenges significantly affect teens’ ability to succeed in school and navigate the complexities of adolescence.
As the mental health crisis among teens continues to grow, legal action is being taken to hold social media companies accountable for their role in exacerbating these issues.
Social media litigation empowers individuals to protect our youth and demand changes from the platforms that have become integral to their lives.
By addressing the root causes of these problems, we can work toward a future where social media is a healthier, safer environment for teenagers.
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Subhasree Nag
A self-proclaimed Swiftian, Instagram-holic, and blogger, Subhasree eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. When she is not imagining dates with Iron Man on Stark Tower (yes, she has the biggest crush on RDJ, which she won’t admit), she can be seen tweeting about the latest trends. Always the first one to break viral news, Subhasree is addicted to social media, and leaves out no opportunity of blogging about the same. She is our go-to source for the latest algorithm updates and our resident editor.
