By – Priyanka D , Anushuka Narula , Pranjal jalota & Siddhika

Introduction

Social media is the axis upon which adolescent life revolves; thus, 90% of U.S. teenagers are said to actively engage social media applications such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Research done by Pew Research Center (2022) states that around 95% of adolescents have access to a smartphone, and 45% of them are said to stay online “almost constantly” (Anderson & Jiang, 2022). That connectivity is reflective of their social world and the establishment of their identity development.

This in-between of adolescent social media is a two-edged sword. It creates space for self-expression, learning, and social connection. These platforms promote community sense by helping adolescents find interests, receive support, and become active participants in social movements. However, these platforms may also increase vulnerability. Most adolescents are highly prone to end up in unfavorable situations caused by social media. Some of the negative impacts include bullying, body image issues, and exposure to excessive content. Studies show an increase in the risk of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems with increasing social media use (Twenge et al., 2018).

This duality forms the basis for an ongoing controversy about how best to assess social media’s effect on adolescent mental health. While it provides opportunities for self-growth and support, it poses a serious risk to one’s psychological well-being.

1. The Prevalence of Social Media in Adolescence

Human beings are fundamentally social creatures who rely on the connection and support of others to flourish truly. Our relationships are not just important but essential for our emotional and mental well-being. By embracing our social nature, we empower ourselves and those around us to lead richer more fulfilling lives, a lack of social connections can pose major threats to one’s mental health. Over the past 10 years, social media use has increased and is estimated to grow even more. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are famous among adolescents. Over one billion people are currently active Facebook users, which is estimated to increase even more in developing countries (Khalaf et al., 2023).

1.1. Social Media Usage in Adolescents

According to the Pew Research Centre, most adolescents have smartphones and nearly half of them are constantly online. YouTube stays at the top list in the survey as nine in ten are reported using the site. Following TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat remain widely used among adolescents (Atske & Atske, 2024)

1.2. Role of Social Media in Adolescents Lives

Social media usage has a significant impact on people’s lives. During early adolescence, peer interactions are more valued than parental interactions, social media helps maintain existing connections and build new ones (Antheunis et al., 2014). Social media platforms aren’t just about communication, it is spaces for learning, entertainment, and self-expression which help one to develop in life.

2. Positive Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health

Social media can be a source of social support, especially for youth with emotional problems. According to the study, based on participants’ narratives, the analysis of the impact of social media not only helps in maintaining positive relationships but also helps in overall social capital, self-concept, coping, happiness, and other relevant positive aspects of mental health (positivity, personal growth) (Vaingankar et al., 2021).

Social media can act as a stage to promote and spread awareness of mental health problems. Adolescents who face psychological illness can seek help through various online platforms. Social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram have already implemented screening and intervention procedures when users exhibit emotional distress or suicide risk (Nesi et al.,2020).

3. Negative Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health

Although social media is a classic platform raising issues pertaining minds of adolescents, they can often amplify risks. Among its most concerning outcomes are cyberbullying, body image issues, addiction, and fear of missing out (FOMO), all impacting self-esteem, mental health, and relationships.

3.1  Cyberbullying and Harassment

Cyberbullying is a common concern, with approximately 59% of adolescents reporting victimization from online harassment (Anderson, 2018). Anonymously connecting through platforms like Ask.fm and some Reddit forums enables users to target opponents on and off without the evidence against the threats they send, thereby aiding and catering to the breeding ground of spamming and harassment. Silverman noted that victims often suffer low self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression with some going as far as self-harm or suicidal thoughts (Kowalski et al., 2019).

3.2. Comparison Culture and Body Image

Social media becomes a mere space for comparison culture, where young adolescent minds take on primarily curated and experienced ideal and filtered pictures of influencers. The result is proliferation of unrealistically high beauty standards that breed body dissatisfaction, particularly in the minds of adolescent girls. It was found, according to Tiggemann and Slater (2017), that Instagram use correlates to a poor body image and develops into risk for eating disorders. Filters and editing tools magnify this issue by making it impossible for teenagers to replicate unattainable ideals, often at the detriment of their mental health.

3.3. Addiction and Disruption of Sleep

Social media networking sites are built to hold the users continuously active through the functions of algorithms that kickstart dopamine secretion, thereby intensifying the cycle of addiction. Teens spend hours scrolling through social media feeds and fall into the grips of digital addiction. It is, therefore, addictive. The consequences of this type of compulsive use, like late-night online hours for teens, will affect sleep. Moreover, lack of sleep causes such dreadful rolling consequences on mental health by pushing one into stress, anxiety, or depression (Leone & Wade, 2018). According to the highlights of AASM, which provide guidance on limiting the screen time before bed.

3.4. FOMO and Social Anxiety

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is another negative consequence of social media, as adolescents continuously gauge their lives against the balanced content of another. This can give rise to increased social anxiety, lowered self–esteem, and overwhelming the pressure to appear perfect online. Research conducted by Przybylski et al. (2013) has highlighted FOMO as a paramount predictor of compromised emotional well-being imperiling the younger users. Due to the pressure to appear socially active and successful, many adolescents feel overwhelmed and disconnected from their true selves.

These negative consequences highlight the need for a careful and balanced approach to modern social media use. On the one hand, they can connect; on the other, exposure beyond moderation can only aggravate the intrinsic psychological weaknesses and lead to behavioral strategies to support the adolescent’s mental health.

4. The Role of Algorithms and Platform Architecture

4.1 ⁠Content Ingestion Algorithm based on

Social media structures utilise algorithms to apply statistics at purchasers to increase engagement. But most times, it amplifies posts promoting body shaming, dramatic drama, or divisive opinions. Teenagers are more likely to stumble upon and engage with poor content because algorithms favour emotionally charged content (Auxier & Anderson, 2021). This, in turn, will have devastating effects on both their mental health and self-esteem while feeding the cycle of negativity it perpetuates. (Uhls et al., 2017).

Another is creating echo chambers through which users continuously get exposed to the same ideologies and groups. This isolates teenagers from diversified views, that may be harbouring destructive or dangerous ideas and actions, self-harm industries or organizations and bad comparison-oriented groups (Pariser, 2011). This managed fact deepens perceptions of inadequacy, isolation, and angst amongst more youthful audiences.

4.2. ⁠Platform Responsibility

In response to challenging circumstances, social media networks have incorporated mechanisms that may be considered to minimize the potential risks. Content moderation equipment enables the identification and removal of abusive content, and capabilities that include warning labels highlight sensitive content. Furthermore, the platforms have included display time prompts and features that limit exposure to specific types of posts, which promotes healthier usage behaviour (Meta, 2023).

However, critics add that those initiatives are not substantial. Platforms would not clearly let people know if their algorithms and policies used in rating content, attire, and such content are precise or vague. Moreover, withdrawal behaviours lack consistency, potentially letting bad info go unobstructed and disproportionate attention to negative information (Gillespie, 2018). There is a growing strain on structures to undertake extra strong and transparent techniques that balance individual engagement with moral worries for adolescent intellectual fitness (Livingstone& Third, 2017).

5. Mitigating Negative Impacts

In recent years, the relationship between social media use and teen mental health has become a growing concern for parents, educators, and health professionals. It has negative effects on adolescent body image and disordered eating behaviours, yet adolescents are unlikely to discontinue engaging with these platforms. (Griffiths, S., & Murray, S. B., 2024). As digital platforms continue to dominate their social interactions, it is thus important to identify the potential risks and develop effective strategies to reduce the harms of social media on adolescent mental health.

5.1. What parents and caregivers can do?

Parents can set a good example for children of what responsible and healthy social media use looks like by limiting their own use, being mindful of social media habits and modelling positive behaviour as children often adapt habits and behaviours from what they see around them. (Griffiths, S., & Murray, S. B., 2024). They can help their children develop social skills and nurturing their in-person relationships by encouraging unstructured and offline connections with others and making unplugged interactions a daily priority. Parents should consider having conversations with children about who they are connecting with, their privacy settings, their online experiences, and how they are spending their time online, moreover empowering and encouraging them to seek help should they need it. (Vidal, C., & Katzenstein, J., 2023).

5.2. What children and adolescents can do?

The burden of mitigating the potential harms of social media does not rest solely on the shoulders of children and adolescents, but there are measures they can take to navigate social media in a safe and healthy way like limiting the usage of electronic devices for at least an hour before bedtime and through the night to enable sufficient and quality sleep. (REAN Foundation, 2024, June 28). Engaging in offline activities like sports, hobbies, and volunteering can provide adolescents with meaningful alternatives to excessive screen time, helping them find fulfilment beyond the digital world. Children should be selective with what they post and share online and with whom, as it is often public and can be stored permanently. Moreover, protect themselves and others from cyberbullying or other forms of online harassment and abuse.

5.3. What policymakers and researchers can do?

Policymakers and researchers play a critical role in addressing the complex and multifaceted issues related to social media use and in protecting youth from harming their mental health and well-being. Ensuring technology companies share data relevant to the health impact of their platforms with independent researchers and the public in a manner that is timely, sufficiently detailed, and protects privacy. Policymakers can support the development, implementation, and evaluation of digital and media literacy curricula in schools and within academic standards and also, researchers can engage with international partners working to protect children and adolescents against online harm to their health and safety. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2023).

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