If you’re the parent of a teenager, you’re probably aware of the central role of social media in their lives. The average teen accesses one or more social media platforms every day. In addition, they stay connected to those platforms for extended amounts of time. Are there any costs to this link between teens and social media? For many adolescents, the answer to these questions is clearly “yes.”
While social media can positively affect teenagers’ mental health, heavy use of it comes with a range of potential adverse effects. If your child experiences negative effects from social media, a teen relationship program can be a vital resource.
About Teens and Social Media
The vast majority of today’s teens use social media. Some adolescents are more heavily involved than others. Everyday use is expected. However, a sizable minority of teenagers exceed this threshold and describe their use as near-constant.
The landscape of teen social media use is flexible. Instead, the popularity of various social media platforms tends to change over time. One outlet that consistently bucks this trend is YouTube, which has a remarkable 95% use rate among U.S. teens. Today, the list of the most popular platforms also includes:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
Outlets used by fewer teenagers include Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and WhatsApp.
How Does Social Media Positively Affect the Mental Health of Teenagers?
So, exactly how does social media affect teenagers’ mental health? Perhaps surprisingly, social media platforms sometimes have a notable positive impact. Several factors are important here, including:
- The amount of time your teen spends on social media
- Whether they participate passively or engage with others
- How much emotional investment your child has in social media participation
Research shows that limited or even moderate use can be a positive influence. However, passive social media users’ odds of this happening are decreased. Active engagement, on the other hand, can be beneficial. Your teen is also more likely to have a positive experience if they’re not overly invested in social media use.
What Are the Negative Effects of Social Media Use on Teens?
Social media use can also be a profoundly negative mental health influence. Studies show that heavily participating teenage users have heightened chances of becoming depressed. They also have increased risks for the development of anxiety disorders. In addition, your child may be more likely to develop a negative body image. Exposure to bullying on social media can lead to significant emotional trauma. Moreover, chronic heavy users may develop the classic signs of behavioral, non-substance-related addiction.
High emotional investment in social media comes with additional potential consequences. These consequences include what’s known as fear of missing out (FOMO). High levels of this fear can destabilize your teen’s mood and outlook. Your child may also feel excessively isolated when not using social media.
In addition, your teen may experience adverse physical effects from social media. A typical example of these effects is the lack of adequate sleep. Heavy social media users may also experience an increase in their internal stress reactions. Over time, this increase can lead to multiple forms of physical harm. That includes increased risks for several kinds of chronic illnesses.
Find Out More About Teens and Social Media in Colorado at Imagine Fort Collins
Still wondering how social media affects the mental health of teenagers? Ask the professionals at Imagine Fort Collins. We’re standing by with the timely information you need.
Is social media having a damaging impact on your teen? Imagine Fort Collins offers counseling services that can help. These services support recovery from harmful social media use. They also teach your child how to avoid risky media use in the future. Contact Imagine Fort Collins today at 888.291.2309 to learn more. You can also contact us through our online form.
