Is Social Media Good for Teenagers?

Term social media refers to a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities. Social media is internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content, such as personal information, documents, videos, and photos.

The availability of social media can bring positive effects to teenagers, such as allowing them to communicate and form positive interactions with people who live far away. They can also form new friendships and possibly find support amongst other teens when they are in need of it, and social media can be a place for teenagers to channel their hobbies to become more confident. Not only that, social media can be an entertaining place for teenagers to relieve stress.

On the other hand, the report, titled “Coping with COVID-19: How Young People Used Digital Media to Manage Their Mental Health,” also showed a strong association between social media and teen depression. Teenagers with moderate to severe depressive symptoms were nearly twice as likely to say they used social media almost constantly: One-third of teens with depression reported constant social media use, as compared to 18 percent of teens who did not have depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the more severe their symptoms were, the more anxious, lonely and depressed they felt after using social media. Clearly, social media does not help teens who are already feeling depressed, and seems to contribute to their negative outlook.

According to a study published in the Journal of Youth, social media use can affect sleep patterns in teens. Teenagers have the urge to wake up in the middle of the night to find out what their friends have posted. This behavior makes teens sleep deprived and can ultimately affect mood swings. Moreover, teenagers have emotions that are still unstable.

So, there is always a negative side for us to do something. We must be wise in using social media to get more good things.