Surveys show that ninety percent of teens ages 13-17 use social media. Seventy-five percent report having at least one active social media profile, and 51% visiting a social media site at least once daily.

Hi. I’m Reneeka, and today’s topic is all about the ways social media affects teens. 

I hardly think an introduction to social media in today’s online generation would be necessary. It’s simple: 1 out of every four teens is an avid social media user, using at least two different social media each day. 

For folks who don’t have a clue about what social media is, here’s the definition for it. As described by the dictionary, it is a website and application that enables users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. 

It’s a common belief that overrated platforms like TikTok or YouTube are the only examples of social media. In reality, any app that allows you to communicate with others and express yourself is social media. It includes your online school too.

The grasp and dependence on social media of teens far exceed that of many adults. Go figure. Hence, it is crucial to understand how it mentally impacts us. Several health issues develop as a result of too much time spent online.

What makes social media so “attractive”? A study by researchers at the UCLA brain mapping center found a distinct region of our brain becomes activated at the mere prospect of receiving likes. This reward region is particularly sensitive during the teen years, which could explain why teens are attracted to social media. 

Additional studies have established a link between depression and social media. Prolong use of social media may show a sign of depression or low self-esteem. According to a study, people who use more than seven social media platforms have more than three times the risk of depression than people who use two or fewer sites. 

Social networking leads to a deterioration in social activity and an increase in loneliness. You may argue that social media does provide a stage for communication, but you may as well know that humans are social creatures programmed for physical connection.

Social media, in a nutshell, is a fabrication of lies. Unfortunately, what most teens do not realize is that people post their “highlight reel” and usually hide their experiences. It creates a notion of perfectness and pressures teens to have perfect posts or images. Teens who place a priority on social media will often concentrate on showing how much they are having fun, rather than focusing on having fun! 

It takes a lot of time and effort to keep up with the unspoken rules and culture of each social media platform. As a result, this puts additional pressure on teens, which can cause feelings of anxiety. Some studies have found that the larger a teen’s social circle is online, the more feeling of pressure is. 

A study showed that one-fifth of teens “almost always” wake up during the night and log in to social media. It’s a proven fact that sleep is vital for development in children. Consequently, this sleep loss can lead to moodiness, a drop in grades, and overeating, as well as intensify existing problems like depression and anxiety.

While social media can be a fantastic place for keeping in touch with loved ones, it is not the same as face-to-face communication. Under forced circumstances, I’ve been chatting with my friends a lot lately. But if you ask me to do the same, but face-to-face, let say through a virtual meeting, I would fail miserably. 

See? That’s what I’m trying to indicate. Many teens spend so much time online that they forget to talk to the person in front of them! As a result, teens risk having relationships that are not deep or genuine.

So, what’s the solution? You don’t have to quit social media; you will have to learn to use it better! Because so much brain development takes place during the teen years, we mustn’t neglect the impact of social media on us. We have the power of using it, make sure it doesn’t use you!

Thank you!