Social Media's Impact On Adolescent Mental Health

Social media is currently the heartbeat of the youth today. Looking from social medias like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, it is where things connect, express themselves, and find their place in the world.

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But like a double-edged sword, social media

has caught in both ways, both physically, both negatively and positively. It can uplift you and inspire you if it is used wisely. And it can also wound you if it is used badly.

When it comes to the youth and adolescent mental health, the question isn't just whether social media entirely is good or bad. It is about how it benefits and shapes the mind of today's youth and what that means for their future.

OK, now let's start with the good. Social media is one of the gateway and important means of connection. For a shy youth or teen living in a small town, a platform like Twitter or Discord can just be a lifeline to communities , and other social media platforms are not being held.

Just a hobby group or a career group or a passionate group, a space where they share their struggles. It is also a place to gain more information. At least teens can learn about their personal life from others that are way behind or above them. They can learn about their mental health, the climate change, courses from YouTube, tutorials, and they can even read stories.

All these expressions can spark curiosity and empower them to chase their dream more. Plus, social media can amplify their voices, whether they are advocating for change or sharing their art. That kind of creativity freedom can boost self-esteem and give them a sense of purpose.

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Now let's flip this coin now and see how it affects the minds and the mental health of the adolescents. The endless scrolling.

Seeing pictures of people on dream vacation and the flawless skin can make them feel like they are not enough. They can feel less of themselves.

Do you know that studies have shown that when you constantly compare yourself on platforms like Instagram, it can make you live a life of low self-esteem and it can fuel your anxiety.

Cyber bullying is another form of bullying. That is very effective, it is another beast. A single mean comment can just halt a team for weeks and months, and they can even contemplate committing suicide. And let's not forget the addictive pull of likes and notifications.

Too much use of screen time can disrupt sleep and even increase stress and leave things feeling isolated, even though they are still connected to people around them. That pressure to perform and meet the online audience expectations, can be very overwhelming. It can also drown our authentic selves.

So, which side wins? Ask yourself that question. It is tough to say, but the negative is often hit harder because teens and youth are very vulnerable. Teens are trying to figure out who they are, and social media can amplify insecurities very much faster than it beats confidence.

Looking ahead, the future of adolescent mental health depends on how, looking ahead, the future of adolescent mental health depends on how, But this flood of information doesn't always mean deeper knowledge.

It's easy to skim, scan through, chasing trends instead of digging into re-learning without critical thinking, taking on information being seen there, different kinds of information without critical thinking and understanding. And these two can create a good shallow brain. There's also the risk of dependency.

Social media can make things rely on people and external validation, just like likes, comments, followers, instead of building inner strength. And if they lean too much on those likes and validation, they might start to make decisions without a quick go-go or via how-to-do video. But it doesn't have to be this way.

If we can teach teens how to use social media wisely and using it in the positive way, they can harness its power without losing themselves. The future isn't yet doomed. Today, teens are still resilient. And with the right tools and the right information and the right guidance, they can still navigate this digital world like an expert.

I'm urging parents, schools and even influencers to help promote digitalization.

So let's empower teens to use their time right on the screen for their growth and for their personal benefit and not to compare themselves. They now have the chance to be more informed, creative.

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Let's inspire them to shine both online and offline.