How Does Social Media Affect The Brain?

Social media has become a huge part of teenagers' lives. Over 95% of teens use it. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are places where we connect with friends, share what’s happening around us, and stay entertained. While social media can be fun and help us express ourselves, it also has some negative effects, especially on our mental health, self-esteem, and how we interact and socialize with one another. 

One major way social media affects teens is through mental health. Many studies show that spending too much time on social media can lead to feeling anxious, depressed, or even lonely. For example, according to Stanford Medicine, social media websites are designed to be addictive and obsessive, releasing dopamine in the brain’s reward systems. This can lead to a cycle of dopamine release similar to that of addiction. This happens because social media often shows a perfect version of reality. Seeing people’s highlight reels—perfect vacations, flawless pictures—makes us feel like our lives aren’t good enough. These highlight reels aren’t showing sad or lonely pictures though. People only put the happy, perfect parts of their lives on social media and exclude all other parts of their lives. It’s easy to start comparing yourself and feeling insecure when much of what we see online seems so much better than what we experience in real life.

Social media also impacts self-esteem and self-confidence. For many teens, the number of likes, comments, and followers has become a way to measure how "popular" or "successful" we are. According to the Pew Research Center study, about 28% of girls feel the pressure to post content that is approved by people on social media and that gets a lot of comments and likes. When a post doesn’t get enough attention, it can make us feel bad about ourselves. This can lead to a cycle of constantly seeking validation online, which isn’t healthy for our self-confidence and self-esteem.

On the flip side, social media doesn’t only have negative effects. It can also help us find support and make connections. For example, LGBTQIAP+ teens often find accepting communities online where they feel safe to be themselves. Social media can also help us get involved in important causes, allowing us to speak out about things we care about. Many teens use platforms like Instagram to raise awareness about issues like climate change or social justice, which can be empowering.

Overall, social media has both negative and positive sides. While it helps us connect and express ourselves, it’s important to be careful about how much time we spend on it and how we let it affect our mental health. Finding a balance is key to ensuring it doesn’t negatively impact us and helps us become better at social media usage!