Snapchat, Instagram , TikTok and so much more — these popular apps are familiar to teenagers these days. But is the fun of scrolling and texting your friends worth all the other side effects? Many teens may not realize it, but social media is a leading cause of anxiety, depression and so much more. So, is social media really worth all the hype it is given, with these consequences?
While there might be a lot of negative drawbacks from social media there are also positive effects. “I think it can positively create connections, but can also ruin friendships,” said Calyx Barden, a freshman. Though you can create positive connections , it always comes with a consequence. Many teenagers find themselves becoming people they are not over screen , whether they become a better or worse person it’s an unhealthy cycle for anyone no matter what age you are to participate in.
Social media is found leaving many teenagers depressed or struggling with things alone, hiding behind their screen or in silence. “Some people will be more quiet if something happens to them digitally, or others will try to be someone they’re not when something is trending,” said freshman Chase Miller. While it might be useful to have a screen in front of you to cushion the blow of things, it will most likely come back to bite you in the future.
Mental health and social media tend not to be a good mix; between cyber bullying and teenagers wanting to be something they are not, it can destroy someone’s image about themselves. Sophie Cheatom, a freshman, thinks “Negatively again it can cause more dysmorphia, it can make teens think they need to dress and act a certain way in order to fit in with everyone else and that can really impact their mental health.” Now, while it may be fun to see what is trending and what people are doing and wearing, it can destroy people’s image of themselves and inevitably make them feel like they are not enough and causing them to lose self confidence.
In today’s society, social media is important, but not for the right reasons. Yes, there are many positive effects intertwined with the negative, but is it really worth all the struggles? Social media will always be a staple in most teenagers’ lives at this point in time, but some would disagree that that is a good thing.
