Social Media And The Mental Health Of Today's Teenagers

Let's be real, social media is everywhere

It’s the first thing many people check when they wake up and the last thing before going to bed. Teenagers especially are living their lives online more than ever before. Sometimes I wonder is this a blessing or a problem waiting to explode? Yes, social media has its good sides, but the way it’s affecting the mental health of young people now, e fit go two ways. In this post, I want to talk about both the good and the bad, and what I honestly think about the teenagers in this online world

source

As someone who grew up watching the rise of social media, I can say it helped me in many ways. You can connect with friends, share talents, get inspired, and even learn new things. Teenagers today are more informed than ever. One click and they can learn anything from any part of the world. That’s a big advantage.

But at the same time, this same social media is also doing damage. The pressure to look perfect, act perfect, and live a fake lifestyle just for likes and followers is affecting people silently. Some teenagers compare themselves with others online and start feeling they are not good enough. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, many of these things are increasing now because of what people see or don’t see on social media.

source

Another thing is attention span. Many teenagers now can't stay focused for long. They scroll too much, and their mind jumps from one video to another. Some don’t even know how to communicate in real life anymore. Everything is done online. Even friendships now are just emoji and “LOL” chats no real connection. That kind of lifestyle can affect their emotional growth.

Do I think teenagers will be more exposed and informed? Yes, they already are. But the question is what are they exposed to? Not everything online is good. Misinformation dey everywhere. And if care is not taken, this exposure will confuse them more than help.

source

Will it make them dependent? Honestly, yes. Some are already addicted. They feel lost without their phone or without checking what’s trending. It’s becoming harder for some teenagers to make personal effort without getting validation online.

So what’s the future like? I think if we’re not careful, many young people will lose their sense of self. But if social media is used well, with balance and self-control, it can still be a great tool. Parents, schools, and even platforms need to help guide the youths better.

In the end, I believe everything depends on how it’s used. Social media is a tool, it’s how we use it that will shape the future of adolescents.

Thanks for reading through, Until next time

I love you all💛🧡💛