Bad Outcomes of Social Media Use

Written By: Ann Terese Brandt

It’s no surprise that screen time and social media use seem to be at an all-time high among teens. As we learn more about how social media is engineered to foster addiction and hours of endless scrolling, we are also uncovering the negative effects it can have due to its constant use. “Children have been sold this belief that the more [social media] connections they have, the better off they are,” said Lisa Strohman, a clinical psychologist specializing in technology overuse issues. “[But] their relationships are not deep; they’re not authentic.”

The Edweek Research Center conducted a survey from February 9-March 4, 2024, involving more than a thousand high school students nationwide about issues related to social media use. Among the questions posed, students were asked to identify any negative consequences they experienced as a result of their involvement with social media. From a list of 25 possible options to choose from, here are five of the top 10 responses, presented in no specific order:

• I believed the information that I later learned was fake.
• My self-esteem got worse.
• I was bullied.
• It made me feel more isolated/alone.
• I was too tired to do what I needed to do because I didn’t get enough sleep.

So, while social media may offer connection, it’s important to recognize there are dangers that can stem from social media use if left unchecked. We can all gain from prioritizing healthier digital habits that strengthen our mental well-being rather than undermine it.