Social media is a place where an abundance of entertainment and information can be found. It connects people across the globe, making each connection memorable, for better or for worse.
Social media has a critical role in most teens’ lives; it’s where they get entertainment, information and talk to each other online. People scroll, make reels or TikToks for fun; posting it online can be a fun way to pass time and showcase their lives for their followers and the internet.
Sophomore Daksha Ravva said, “I love social media. It gives me dopamine, but ethically it can feel wrong because of the overwhelming amounts of information we see.”
Social media has its pros and cons.
The bright side of having social media is that we get support from people who we closely relate to, who share our interests and beliefs. It’s a distraction during stressful times. Many people also post online to express themselves or connect with friends. In many cases it also helps with coping with challenging life situations and mental health conditions.
However, social media can also serve as a distraction, preventing people from completing important tasks rather than purely serving as stress relief. Spending time on social media, means that you are not getting enough sleep and not able to spend enough time with family and friends. Many are also prone to cyberbullying or online predators. Another issue that affects teens, is that it makes us feel insecure and negative about themselves because they don’t fit into the ‘beauty standards’ set by the internet. There is also a fear of exposure to inappropriate content or scams and viruses.
An increased amount of time spent on social media comes with a decrease in overall mental health. It also leads to FOMO, or ‘fear of missing out’. Researchers have linked FOMO from social media to insufficient sleep, anxiety and depression.
According to an article from John Hopkins Medicine , frequent use of social media can change certain parts of the brain, specifically those tied to emotions and creativity. To add on to that, an overuse of social media can also negatively affect impulsive control, social behavior, emotional regulation and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards.
So what should one do to become less addicted? Well, instead of scrolling for hours, have social media time limited to 1 to 2 hours per day according to the AACAP.
Instead, set time aside to connect with family and friends, go outside or join a volunteering group/organization. Remember that whatever is shown on social media is not always real. People only post the best parts of their lives, which is far from reality.
