Social Media Chaos: How it is Impacting Teens and Their Mental Health 

        In today's tech savvy world, a societal issue is becoming increasingly prevalent as time goes on: Social media. America’s teenagers are facing a mental health crisis, and it can be blamed on social media. Behind doomscrolling and the newest fad, teens are hiding behind depression, anxiety and eating disorders. It is becoming increasingly apparent with the heavy use of social media that it impacts teens' mental health and well-being. Many people would agree that citizens in this day and age are on their phones too much, but how does social media impact mental health issues in teens? Teens are impacted by social media through poor self-esteem and self-comparison, depression and anxiety, and problematic use.  

A major rift has erupted over the problematic use of social media and how it impacts teens' mental health. According to the CDC compulsive and uncontrollable use of social media is linked to sleep issues, attentions problems and overall health problems. It is important to note that even the most common use of social media can lead to impact teens' sleeping habits and encourage addictive behavior. The CDC cites that 1 in 3 teens report using social media later than midnight on a regular basis. This is important to note as consistent sleep disruption and trouble focusing are foretellers for mental health struggles. Even the most common use of social media can lead to problematic use and addictive habits. Simply constantly checking notifications or feeling the need to respond as soon as possible supports addictive behaviors. The evidence is clear: addictive habits of social media continue to dampen teens' mental health.  

On the contrary, social media can also have some benefits for teens. The audience can see that social media, despite its frequent criticism, has significant advantages when utilized appropriately. In a time when many young people feel alone or, social media can help teens maintain relationships with friends and family. Additionally, it can provide them with real-time information, support groups, and educational materials to keep them informed about the world. A review article by Felix Agyapong-Opok stated that social media use can increase “affective and cognitive empathy and broaden their ability to communicate their feelings.” I know I hate talking about my feelings, but social media makes that much easier. Social media also allows teens to reach friends and family much more easily and can create a sense of belonging. This can also allow them to have creative self-expression and share their achievements, which can lead to higher levels of confidence. Online groups can offer support, creative outlets, and a sense of community that may be difficult to obtain offline for teenagers who may have emotional or social difficulties. Social media can also help develop entrepreneurial skills. By producing content or managing small online businesses, many young people gain knowledge of digital literacy, marketing, and communication. Social media can be a tool for learning, connection, and personal development rather than a threat if used responsibly and moderately. Although these factors may influence positive use of social media, it is apparent the negative impacts highly outweigh the positives. 

In addition to problematic use, social media impacts teens mental health by lowering self-esteem and self-comparison. Teens have become invested in social media at such an alarming rate that it has become more evident it constructs the way they see themselves. The CDC warns that, “when asked about the impact of social media on their body image, nearly half (46%) of adolescents aged 13–17 said social media makes them feel worse, 40% said it makes them feel neither better nor worse, and only 14% said it makes them feel better.” This type of attitude is associated with depressive symptoms and can greatly affect teens' mental health. At a young age, teens concern themselves with what their peers are posting. They may come across edited pictures or unrealistic achievements which can make them feel bad about themselves. The Conversation highlights the emergence of communities promoting harmful behaviors (with pro-anorexia groups being among the most notable examples),16 or platforms encouraging the posting of heavily retouched photos. The latter have been widely criticized for fostering unattainable beauty standards, which have led many to develop significant body image insecurities. Young girls should not have to feel pressures to meet these “social standards.” Having to feel the weight of not getting enough likes on Instagram is not something anyone should have to hold over their head. Social media holding so much power over the well-being of teenage girls can be extremely harmful to their mental health. This proves that attitudes as such can damage a teen's mental health, and it is in the hands of social media. 

Long-awaited legislation to overhaul the “outdated” Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) has been introduced to Parliament.

Furthermore, social media impacts teens as they experience higher levels of depression and anxiety. Social media can have many effects on teens such as loneliness, fear of missing out, unrealistic expectations, and unhealthy obsessiveness. The Center of Excellence cites “The authors of PA SB 22 (Pennsylvania) suggest that social media use among teens is associated with negative emotions, including higher rates of depression and anxiety. They also refer to research suggesting that social media can exacerbate offline violence and that suicide and self-harm rates among American teenagers have risen significantly in recent years.” These findings show that higher levels of social media consumption led to higher levels of mental health disorders. This could be due to the pressure and expectations to be connected at all times. People may fall into a panic when their friend doesn’t answer their Snapchat or does not comment on their Instagram post. Being so consumed by such small factors as such will lead to extra stress, loneliness, and sadness that should not be relevant at all. Many teens feel extreme pressure to always meet the expectations and needs of their friends. This may cause teens to feel entrapped in social media, causing stress and anxiety. ely worried that their child’s use of social media could lead to problems with anxiety or depression (53%), lower self-esteem (54%), being harassed or bullied by others (54%), feeling pressured to act a certain way (59%), and exposure to explicit content (71%) It is evident that social media can even have negative impacts on friendships and relationships, which can be detrimental to a teen's adolescent years. This can create unhealthy relationships not only through social media but then can continue through the outside world. These factors can contribute to the higher levels of depression and anxiety that teens experience through social media.

Overall, social media's detrimental effects on adolescent mental health highlight a developing problem that cannot be ignored. The effects of media on young people's self-perception, social interactions, and day-to-day lives are becoming more apparent, ranging from anxiety and depression to unhealthy comparisons and persistent pressure. Despite providing opportunities for connection, these platforms are environments where teenagers feel alone, overburdened, or judged. In order to address these issues, parents, educators, and communities must be aware of them, have open discussions, and make a commitment to helping teenagers adopt healthier behaviors. In the end, the first step in protecting teens' wellbeing and making sure that social media does not take come before the value of in-person relationships, self-assurance, and balance is acknowledging the harm.