Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents

Social media has become an integrated part of daily life and is a double-edged sword. It provides us with lots of information, communication facilities, and many other benefits in work, education, and even leisure time. On the other hand, it increases mental distress, self-injurious behavior, and suicidality among youth.

High proportions of youth engage in heavy smartphone use and media multitasking, with resultant chronic sleep deprivation, and negative effects on cognitive control, academic performance, and socioemotional functioning.

In the last decade, increasing mental distress and treatment for mental health conditions among young adults have paralleled a steep rise in the use of smartphones and social media. The survey, published by the non-profit research organization Common Sense Media, found that overall screen use among teens and tweens increased by 17 percent from 2019 to 2021 growing more rapidly than in the four years prior. On average, daily screen use went up among tweens (ages 8 to 12) to five hours and 33 minutes from four hours and 44 minutes, and to eight hours and 39 minutes from seven hours and 22 minutes for teens (ages 13 to 18). Inpatient hospital admissions of children and adolescents for mental health reasons increased substantially, while admissions for other medical conditions in this age group decreased by 14%.

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The rate of mental health problems in teens has gone up over the last decade.

1. Suicide?rates, threats of violence at schools, and social pressures are increasing for our teens. Teen emergency room admissions for suicide are up.
2. Many factors produce teen?depression. One interesting correlation from a Mayo Clinic study showed that teens with a more significant emotional investment in social media had higher levels of?anxiety?and depression. Studies suggest that the amount of teen use of social media is linked with?loneliness,?self-harm, and feelings of inadequacy.
3. Today’s teens grew up as digital natives. With the proliferation of social media, there are more opportunities for young people to encounter problems. A Pew survey found that 97% of U.S. adolescents use social media platforms—and about half are online almost continuously.
4. Teens quickly find out about the risks of social media. The survey showed that many teens report experiencing negative behavior online, including the name- calling, cyber-bullying, false rumors, unsolicited explicit images,?stalking, and physical threats. Participating in the ever-present smartphones also exposes teens to prejudiced attitudes, and mean or judgmental comments. This online social commentary may trigger some teens into a downward spiral.
5. While many overall factors interact to produce mental health problems, much?attention?is now focused on teenage use of social media as a possible culprit.?

Parents may try to use parental controls to limit their teens ' access to smartphones. But we know that “forbidden fruit” can promote curiosity. Adults may be better served by having conversations with young people about what happens online and discussing some mutually agreeable rules. Speaking about toxic influences and how to limit them is a great place to start.

Yet Social Media platforms also provide positive benefits. These platforms offer adolescents a venue to express solidarity, individuality, influence, mutual support, and shared?identity. Adults must find ways to help teen users experience the positive aspects of online interactions while avoiding the risks.

We cannot blame technology for our social problems. These tools, like any other, can be used for good or mischief. Instead of waiting for smartphones to protect us by removing content, it is up to parents and educators to promote a new digital “netiquette" and consumer savvy. Let’s work on our social skills and healthy defenses to protect each other, and our teens, online.

There is a need for public awareness campaigns and social policy initiatives that promote nurturing home and school environments that foster resilience as youth navigate the challenges of adolescence in today’s world.

How to Protect your Adolescents from Social Media?

There are steps you can take to encourage the responsible use of social media and limit some of its negative effects. Consider these tips:

• Set reasonable limits.?Talk to your teen about how to avoid letting social media interfere with his or her activities, sleep, meals, or homework. Encourage a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use, and keep cellphones and tablets out of teens' bedrooms. Set an example by following these rules yourself.
• Monitor your teen's accounts.?Let your teen know that you'll be regularly checking his or her social media accounts. You might aim to do so once a week or more. Make sure you follow through.
• Explain what's not OK.?Discourage your teen from gossiping, spreading rumors, bullying, or damaging someone's reputation online or otherwise. Talk to your teen about what is appropriate and safe to share on social media.
• Encourage face-to-face contact with friends.?This is particularly important for teens vulnerable to social anxiety disorder.
• Talk about social media.?Talk about your own social media habits. Ask your teen how he or she is using social media and how it makes him or her feel. Remind your teen that social media is full of unrealistic images.

If you think your teen is experiencing signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression related to social media use, talk to your child's healthcare provider.

Mental Health Conditions Tied to Young People’s Use of Social Media

Most people young and old are able to moderate their use of social media so it doesn’t take over their lives. However, 20% of people who have at least one social media account feel they have to check them at least once every three hours to avoid feeling anxious. This phenomenon goes beyond “fear of missing out,” or FOMO. In fact, it now has its own name: social media anxiety disorder, as reported by the?Anxiety and Depression Association of America?(ADAA).

The condition is similar to social and other anxiety disorders, which the ADAA states are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. The symptoms of a social media anxiety disorder include the following:

• Stopping to check social media in the middle of a conversation
• Spending more than six hours each day using social media
• Lying about the amount of time spent on social media
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Failing in attempts to cut back on social media use
• Neglecting or losing interest in school, work, and favorite activities
• Experiencing severe nervousness, anxiety, or withdrawal symptoms when not able to check social media
• Having an overwhelming desire to share on social media feeds

Social Media and Mental Health: Making a Positive Difference

A recurring theme in the resources and advice about counteracting the negative impact of social media on youth mental health is to focus on the positive aspects of the technology. For parents and teachers, the challenge is to monitor children for signs of the negative effects of social media. They must also ensure that children are taught safe online practices to prevent them from becoming victims, whether by exposing their personal information or putting themselves at risk of abuse.

Healthcare professionals play an important role in helping parents, teachers and young people have positive and fulfilling social media experiences. Diploma and Degree programs, such as the GCFORCB Organisation's UPANU Institute of Global Health Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Administration, Post Graduate Diploma in Social Public Health, and Certificate Program on Comprehensive Primary Health Care are designed to provide health leaders with the skills and experience to help prevent the negative activities that contribute to mental illness in young people. Social media has the potential to contribute greatly to the lives of young people, but only if the correct steps are taken to combat the technology’s negative aspects.

Author of the Article: Jahnavi Vennela Gudiwada , IIHMRB,

Intern of GCFORCB Organisation