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By Sam Piha
“Social media has definitely had some negative influence on me, but overall, it has been an overwhelmingly positive effect. It allows me to connect with my friends in ways that would otherwise be impossible and has introduced me to many of my favorite books, movies, and games. I’ve also learned a lot from some platforms, like YouTube, which can be used for educational purposes too.” [i] – Teen girl
This is one blog in a series of blogs regarding the issue of social media and youth mental health.
Social media is not all bad. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, “Social media can provide benefits for some youth by providing positive community and connection with others who share identities, abilities, and interests. It can provide access to important information and create a space for self-expression. The ability to form and maintain friendships online and develop social connections are among the positive effects of social media use for youth. These relationships can afford opportunities to have positive interactions with more diverse peer groups than are available to them offline and can provide important social support to youth. The buffering effects against stress that online social support from peers may provide can be especially important for youth who are often marginalized, including racial, ethnic, and sexual and gender minorities.
For example, studies have shown that social media may support the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other youths by enabling peer connection, identity development and management, and social support. Seven out of ten adolescent girls of color report encountering positive or identity-affirming content related to race across social media platforms.
A majority of adolescents report that social media helps them feel more accepted (58%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), like they have a place to show their creative side (71%), and more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives (80%). In addition, research suggests that social media-based and other digitally-based mental health interventions may also be helpful for some children and adolescents by promoting help-seeking behaviors and serving as a gateway to initiating mental health care.” [ii]
According to Youth Engaged 4 Change, “There are many positives to using social media, including social support, connecting with others in a meaningful way, and seeking out information. Here are some benefits to using social media:
- By reaching out to like-minded people on social media, you can grow your social support network of peers and find help with making personal decisions and forming opinions.
- Connecting with others on social media can help decrease feelings of isolation.
- Using social media can help you explore your interests and personal identity. It can give you opportunities to try out new hobbies, develop skills, and explore your passions such as artistic, academic, or advocacy interests.
- Social media can help you stay connected with friends who live far away and connect you to new people who share similar interests, while also allowing you to learn from those who have different perspectives.
- Being active on social media can help with developing your personal and professional skills, such as participating in advocacy and leadership efforts, finding internships and job opportunities, and applying to school.” [iii]
According to the Annie. E. Casey Foundation, “In some cases, social media can provide social support from peers or others, which may be especially beneficial for marginalized young people, such as sexual and gender minorities. For instance, according to the Surgeon General’s advisory, social media may boost the mental health of LGBTQ youth by fostering connections with peers, facilitating identity development and enabling social support.
Research also indicates that social media-based mental health interventions may be useful tools for kids and teens, and they may help young people learn to seek help or professional care when needed. In this sense, social media platforms could serve as a gateway to mental health care or at least online social support as a buffer against stressors.” [iv]
THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA
While there are many positives to social media use, there can also be harmful experiences, such as online bullying, harassment, and feeling inadequate when comparing yourself to others.
“Pressure, comparing myself, cyberbullying, stuck in a loop of social media, having an empty-feeling effect after use, going down rabbit holes of comparing myself, overwhelming.” [v] – Teen girl
According to the Surgeon General’s Advisory, children and adolescents on social media are commonly exposed to extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content, including: Content perpetuating body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. [vi]
Merion Mercy Academy adds, “Social media use can clearly be excessive and problematic for some:
- On a typical weekday, nearly one-in-three adolescents report using screens (most commonly social media) until midnight or later.
- Studies have shown a relationship between excessive social media use and poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, sleep difficulties, and depression among youth.
- One-third or more of girls aged 11-15 say they feel “addicted” to certain social media platforms and over half of teenagers report that it would be hard to give up social media.
- While the surgeon general’s advisory recommends immediate actions that can be taken by policymakers, technology companies, and researchers, much of the burden falls on parents and children themselves. [vii]
Adolescence Is a Vulnerable Phase of Development
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “The mounting evidence regarding social media’s adverse effects on youth is especially concerning given that adolescence is a critical period of development, when different areas of the brain begin to integrate and the prefrontal cortex develops at an accelerated pace. In this phase, the brain is especially open to learning and growing, and teens may have intensified sensitivity to the nature of social media, according to the Surgeon General’s advisory. Adolescence also involves profound physiological changes — these young people are simultaneously navigating increasing autonomy, forming their identities, developing relationships and more. Thus, the potential effects of social media during this vulnerable phase warrant particular attention.” [viii]
Inappropriate Images
According to Suzanne Blake for Newsweek, "Use of social media also may increase the likelihood that teens would be exposed to violent or inappropriate images that may be difficult to cope with effectively," Ehrenreich-May told Newsweek. "Just like car seats and seat belts increase the safety of children and adolescents in vehicles, putting safety precautions in place to mitigate the negative impacts of social media seems important in terms of public health and general well-being on a population level." [ix]
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| Source: Pew Research Center |
“Numerous studies show that higher levels of social media use among children and adolescents are linked to adverse effects, including depression and anxiety, inadequate sleep (which can disrupt neurological development and lead to depression and suicidal behaviors), low self-esteem, poor body image, eating disorder behaviors and online harassment. These risks are greater for girls versus boys and for those already experiencing mental health issues.
Additional risks include:
- Nearly 2 in 3 adolescents are “often” or “sometimes” exposed to hate-based content on social media.
- Studies have found a connection between social media cyberbullying and depression among young people.
- Teen girls and LGBTQ youth are more likely to experience cyberbullying and online harassment, which can lead to negative emotions.” [x]
To read and download our briefing paper, Social Media and Youth Mental Health, click here.
To watch our webinar on this topic, click here.
END NOTES
[i] Monica Anderson, et. al., Connection, Creativity and Drama: Teen Life on Social Media in 2022
[ii] U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, Social Media and Youth Mental Health
[iii] Youth Engaged for Change, Tip Sheet on Social Media Use and Mental Health
[iv] Northern Kentucky Tribune, Annie E. Casey Foundation: Social media’s concerning impact on teens’ mental health
[v] Monica Anderson, et. al., Connection, Creativity and Drama: Teen Life on Social Media in 2022
[vi] U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, Social Media and Youth Mental Health
[vii] Merion Mercy Academy, Protecting Teen Girls from the Harmful Effects of Social Media
[viii] Northern Kentucky Tribune, Annie E. Casey Foundation: Social media’s concerning impact on teens’ mental health
[ix] Suzanne Blake, Teens Willing To Give Parents Control of Their Social Media
[x] The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Social Media and Teen Mental Health
