In the past few years, how has social media influences teenagers' mental health?

For many Gen Z’s and young adults, social media has been an integral part of our daily

lives. It is rare to be a teenager and have no form of social media ranging from Snapchat and

Instagram, to Twitter and TikTok, and even Facebook and VSCO. Due to the addicting

algorithms strategically built in each social media platform, teens are spending more and more

time on them every day.

69% of adults and 81% of teens in the United States use social media. The people within

those percentages have an increased risk of feeling anxious, depressed, or ill due to their use of

social media. In order to boost self-esteem and having a sense of “belonging,” people post

content hoping to gain various forms of positive feedback (Sperling).

When people post a picture or a phrase on social media, and it gains lots of likes, the

person feels satisfied and is excited for their “interesting” or “popular” content. During this time,

the neurotransmitter, dopamine, is released from the brain which releases that sense of happiness.

Dopamine is giving the person a confidence boost and assuring them of their awesome self (Do

‘Likes’ on Social Media Affect Our Mental Health?).

Another impact on the person has to do with FOMO, which stands for the “fear of

missing out.” Since the majority of the teenage population uses social media, others choose to

join in, in order to avoid missing out on different posts or group activities planned through social

media (Sperling).

There are both benefits and harms to social media. The benefits for teens include

allowing constant communication with others, building social networks, creating a virtual

support system, having a source of entertainment, and the ability to express oneself. A few of the

harms of social media for teens include disrupting their typical sleep schedules, distracting them
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from accomplishing goals and tasks, the quick spread of rumors, putting unrealistic views of

other people’s lives, and can multiply the peer pressure (Teens and Social Media Use: What's

The Impact?).

In Argentina, a study occurred to measure the psychological responses during the

COVID-19 pandemic, otherwise referred to in the article as a stage of crisis. This pandemic

allowed people from all around the world to use social media as a place to express their thoughts

and concerns. This study has links to increased anxiety, stress, and depression during different

times throughout the first few months of the pandemic (Tommasel).

Another study indicates that for college women, the number of social media sites visited

was a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction, and the time spent while on social media was

not a big predictor. However, both the number of sites visited and the time spent on social media

were both major predictors of a general negative affect including sadness and guilt (Bennett).

Social media still has some very concerning aspects that can, will, and do affect the

mental health of teens all around the world. The way to solve the issues created from social

media depends on the person, but a common source of happiness and more body positivity is by

spending less time on social media and more time living life face to face.
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Works Cited

Bennett, Brooke L., et al. “Examining the Impact of Social Media on Mood and Body

Dissatisfaction Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.” Journal of American College

Health, vol. 68, no. 5, July 2020, pp. 502–508. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=144545034&site=eds-live.

“Do ‘Likes’ on Social Media Affect Our Mental Health?” UWIRE Text, 26 Sept. 2019, p.

1. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.612022619&site=eds-live.

Sperling, Jacqueline. “The Social Dilemma: Social Media and Your Mental Health.” Here's How

Social Media Affects Your Mental Health | McLean Hospital, McLean Hospital, 10 Feb.

2021, www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-

health.

Teens and Social Media Use: What's The Impact?". Mayo Clinic, 2021,

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-

social-media-use/art-20474437?scrlybrkr=36fa2cef. Accessed 7 Mar 2021.

Tommasel, Antonela, et al. Tracking the Evolution of Crisis Processes and Mental Health on

Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 2020. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=edsarx&AN=edsarx.2011.11024&site=eds-live.