Alexander Tingling
Professor Castagnozzi
English 170
08 February 2025
The Impact of Social Media on Teens
About 63% of the world’s population, especially teenagers, use social media. People use it to connect and share information, ideas, and content with others. It can help build digital relationships with friends, family, and even strangers. However, despite social media’s many benefits, it also has significant downsides. While teens enjoy going online to express themselves and access information, they should also learn how to use it responsibly, as the internet can negatively affect them in many ways. One of the most serious impacts is the harm it can cause to their mental health. This is an issue I would like to discuss, as I have known people, including myself, who have experienced mental health challenges because of social media.
I intend to talk about the frequent use of social media by teens and its effects. Studies show that higher levels of social media use are linked to depression, anxiety, inadequate sleep, low self-esteem, and poor body image among teenagers. It can also contribute to eating disorder behaviors and feelings of isolation. I can relate to this personally, as I began to feel anxious and depressed when I started using social media during my early teenage years. I was constantly exposed to negative events online, which worsened my mental state. A BBC News article highlights that many teens develop problematic behaviors due to excessive use of technology and social media. I also plan to address the kind of content teenagers are exposed to, which can encourage or depict illegal acts, self-harm, or harm to others. Teens can easily access extreme, inappropriate, and harmful material.
I will also discuss the dangerous life risks social media poses to teens. In some cases, deaths have been linked to suicide- and self-harm-related content, such as “cutting,” partial asphyxiation, and risky challenges promoted on social media platforms. According to a report by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Murthy, exposure to such content can normalize these behaviors. I knew someone who started vaping and smoking because of what he saw on social media. It harmed his health, and he began to get sick. I also have a friend who was dealing with depression and began to self-harm after watching certain videos online.
Another issue I will address is the increase in anxiety and fear that can come from using social media. When people check on their friends and family through these platforms, they may start to feel like they are missing out or not living as fully as others. I experienced this myself when I saw people traveling, going out, and having fun. It made me feel like I wasn’t living life to the fullest and was missing out on everything. A major reason teen experience mental health issues from social media is their constant use of it. When social media begins to affect a teen’s mental health, it can lead to pressure to conform and negative self-talk.
Social media can create pressure to follow certain trends and behaviors, leading to anxiety about not fitting in. Constantly seeing others’ posts and interactions can also result in self-criticism. I’ve seen this firsthand with a friend who felt pressured to change how she acted and dressed in order to fit the image of a typical high school student portrayed on social media. She felt like who she was before wasn’t good enough after comparing herself to others online. Overall, I want to raise awareness about the negative impacts social media can have, especially on teenagers. If people are going to use social media, I believe they should do so carefully and responsibly because misuse can lead to serious harm.