How Social Media Affects Teenagers

Results from surveys show that teens see their own social media experiences as mostly positive. They view it as a tool for community, support and creative expression.

In fact, Pew Research Center’s 2022 survey found that 80% of teens reported feeling more connected to friends with social media use. While parents express concern about their children’s social media use, teens paint a nuanced picture of their lives on these platforms.

Harvard researcher Mesfin A. Bekalu found, “Routine social media use may compensate for diminishing face-to-face social interactions in people’s busy lives. Our findings suggest that the ways that people are using social media may have more of an impact on their mental health and well-being than just the frequency and duration of their use.”

Community and Acceptance

In Pew’s research, 58% of teens said social media makes them feel more accepted. Stable relationships lead to social-emotional skills and build resilience. They also prevent loneliness.

Loneliness and isolation can lead to anxiety, depression or high blood pressure. According to one recent study, one-to-one communication and mutual online friendship mitigated feelings of loneliness and stress during the pandemic.

Support

Of surveyed teens, 67% said social media makes them feel they have people to support them through tough times. This may have a direct connection to content related to mental health.

The #MentalHealth hashtag, for example, is used in millions of posts. Sharing relatable content, influencers and therapists on social media have helped reduce mental health stigmas, encouraging open dialogue for teens. It’s important to remember social media isn’t a substitute for an appointment with a therapist.

Expression and Creativity

Of surveyed teens, 71% said social media provides a place to show their creative side. Research shows that this plays an integral role in teens’ personal expression.

One study found that those who think more creatively, according to one scale, tend to spend less time on smartphones. However, people with real-life creative accomplishments tended to be more active on social media. Authors suggest that social media may provide social support and praise, helping people accomplish creative goals.

Statistics about social media abuse have shed light on several issues. As The Wall Street Journal reported, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, conducted its own research over three years and presented findings to Congress. Researchers found that 32% of teen girls said “that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse.”

They also reported that “Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression.” Of teens reporting suicidal thoughts, 6% in the U.S. and 13% in the U.K. attributed those thoughts to their Instagram usage.

Meta, however, says of the reporting, “Contrary to The Wall Street Journal’s characterization, Instagram’s research shows that on 11 of 12 well-being issues, teenage girls who said they struggled with those difficult issues also said that Instagram made them better rather than worse. This research, like external research on these issues, found teens report having both positive and negative experiences with social media.”

Misinformation and Disinformation

Misinformation is the unintentional spreading of incorrect information, whereas disinformation is published to deliberately mislead users. Children may be particularly vulnerable as impulse control is still developing.

One study found that teens are more likely to share content if it connects with their interests, regardless of whether or not it’s true. The appearance of newsworthy information is more of a factor in whether teens are likely to share it than the content.

Sleep Disruption and Addiction

Research shows that heavy daily social media use increases the risk of decreased, disrupted and delayed sleep. Sleeplessness is associated with depression, memory loss and poor academic performance.

Psychologists estimate that as many as 5%-10% of Americans meet the criteria for social media addiction. Scientists find overuse creates a stimulation pattern in the brain like other addictive behaviors.

One study found that receiving “likes” on social media creates a rush of dopamine similar to winning money or eating chocolate. Social media harm from overuse is the subject of ongoing research.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves behaviors such as offensive name-calling, spreading false rumors, receiving and sharing explicit images without consent and physical threats. While a significant number of students report bullying from classmates predominantly happens at school, nearly half of U.S. teens report being bullied or harassed online, and often strangers are responsible.

Physical appearance is reportedly a common subject for cyberbullies. Older teen girls are especially likely to report being targeted for this reason.

Depression

Some studies show a correlation between social media and depression. Teens who spent the most time on Instagram and Facebook were shown to have 13%-66% higher rates of reported depression, though correlation is not the same as causation.

Some studies show that while social media can help connect those physically isolated, which was borne out during the pandemic, it can exacerbate issues such as fear of missing out, or FOMO. Self-comparisons to others’ photos may also increase the risk of depression.

Eating Disorders

The relationship between social media and eating disorders is complex. As Meta’s research found, teen girls already experiencing body image issues reported Instagram made them feel worse. However, 22% said it made them feel better and 45.5% said it didn’t make a difference.

Another recent study of 3,800 young people surveyed over five years reported an association between social media use and lower self-esteem. The researchers found self-esteem to be a significant mediating factor between screen time and eating-related symptoms.

Parents should consider their child’s individual personality and maturity. Talk openly and honestly about social media and protection from social media harm.

When they’re ready, let children try using one social media app with your guidance. Bear in mind that most social media platforms prohibit children under 13 from creating their own accounts. 

Tips to Break Addiction

Creating boundaries around use can ease teens’ social media addiction. Speak to your child’s doctor or therapist if you have concerns about their social media use.

Those who have experienced serious harm from social media use have filed social media lawsuits. These suits allege that social platforms have worsened mental health and behavioral disorders and created issues related to social media overuse.