Are you concerned about the amount of time your teen spends on social media? Today, it seems like young people are constantly using digital devices at all hours of the day. Chances are, your teen uses a computer at school and at home to complete homework. They stay connected to their phone throughout the day to check social media and message their friends. You’re worried that this excessive social media scrolling might be harming their mental health.
If you’re wondering whether you should try to limit your teen’s time on social media, your instincts are correct. Too much time on social media can be damaging to teens’ mental and physical health. Let’s explore some of the detrimental effects of social media usage on teens and adolescents.
Low Self-Esteem And Depression
Teens and adolescents who are heavy social media users tend to suffer from low self-esteem and higher rates of depression. On social media, teens are treated to never-ending highlight reels shared by strangers. Many of these accounts are paid high fees as influencers. It’s no wonder that seeing this content day in and day out can lead to low self-esteem.
Your teen might struggle with their self-worth because they feel as though their life doesn’t measure up to what they see online. They may also feel lethargic and unmotivated. It might seem like no matter what they do, they can’t “compete” with influencers or their wealthier peers.
Anxiety
Social media can be highly anxiety-inducing. Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media. Anyone is free to post practically anything they want without including sources. Scrolling through content at a rapid pace without time to fully understand what you’re looking at can leave you confused and uncertain.
For teens who may lack media literacy, social media usage can fuel catastrophic thinking. They might worry about negative news they read on social media, some of which is likely not rooted in reality.
Struggles With Concentration
People of all ages often find that using social media for extensive periods of time affects their concentration. If your teen gets notifications from different social media platforms on their smartphone, they might be checking their accounts hundreds of times per day. When they’re supposed to be concentrating on something else, like homework, they may be tempted to pick up their phone just to see if anyone has commented on one of their posts.
Pressure To Meet Unrealistic Standards
Watching sponsored content on social media, or content that is heavily dependent on the creator’s undisclosed family wealth, can take a toll on your teen’s wellbeing. It can also put a hole in their wallet. If your teen has money of their own to spend, they might end up using it for items they’ve seen frequently online in an effort to keep up with trends. They may also assume they need certain expensive products in order to fit in with what they see on social media. These trends can change rapidly, which leads to a cycle of reckless spending.
Physical Health Effects
In addition to harming your teen’s mental health, spending too much time on social media can also have a negative impact on their physical health. Your teen might be staying up very late most nights to check social media. Their lack of sleep leaves them drowsy and irritable during the day. Furthermore, using social media in favor of activities like sports, creative projects, or even hanging out with friends separates your teen from their wider community.
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Our therapists can help you and your family develop healthier relationships with technology. Book a free consultation or a youth therapy session to learn more about our counseling services for families, children, and adolescents.
