Why social media has a negative effect on teens

Why social media has a negative effect on teens.

By: Arianna Farabaugh

Almost everyone I know uses social media or is on social media, but is it affecting us negatively or positively? In my opinion, social media is affecting our generation negatively. I think it affects kids negatively because it is distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people's lives, and peer pressure. A 2019 study of more than 6,500 12-to-15 year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spend more than three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems. Another 2019 study of more than 12,000 13-to-16 years old in England found that using social media might also put teens at heightened risk for mental health problems.

How teens use social media also might determine its impact. I am a person that always uses social media as well as so many other kids from all around the world. The main apps that I think cause the most harm are Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok, and many other apps. Other kids can have the fear of missing out in posts like photos, videos, etc.

Other people may say that social media has a positive effect on kids in our generation.They might say this because social media can allow kids to make online identities, communicate with other kids from around the world, and build social networks.They also use social media for entertainment and self-expression.The platforms can expose teens to current events allowing them to interact across geographic barriers and teach them about things that are going all around them.

I hope that in the future, things can change on social media and so it won’t be so harmful.

Sources

• Is social media bad for you? “Jessica Brown,”What the science suggests so far about the impact of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram on your mental well-being.”(January 4,2018) https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180104-is-social-media-bad-for-you-the-evidence-and-the-unknowns (October 16,2022)

• Tween and Teen health. Mayo Clinic Staff, “Teens and social media use: What's the impact?”(February26,2022) https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437#:~:text=Social%20media%20harms,much%20social%20media%20teens%20use.(October 16,2022)