World News

Social Media and Adolescents

By Kathryn Perez '28 and Zoe Barker '28 in Winter 2025

Have you ever wondered what social media does to our brains?  Social media can strengthen or weaken our sense of community, inform or misinform, and bring us close to people thousands of miles away. But this simultaneously separates us from those in the same room. In recent years, social media has become an integral part of daily life for many teens. While it offers opportunities for connection and self-expression, the negative impacts on mental health, self-esteem, and social skills cannot be overlooked.

Social media negatively impacts mental health, sleep, body image, and self-esteem. One of the most significant concerns regarding adolescents and social media is its correlation with mental health issues. Studies have shown that excessive use of platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. The constant exposure to curated images and lifestyles can create unrealistic expectations, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. 

Social media platforms often promote a culture of comparison. Adolescents frequently compare themselves to their peers and influencers, diminishing self-esteem. Pursuing likes and followers can become a measure of self-worth, making young individuals vulnerable to feeling rejected when their posts do not receive the attention they crave. 

Online harassment and body shaming are extreme consequences of social media misuse. Lately, especially in young girls, ER mental health visits and levels of anxiety have escalated, further perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. The New York Times explained these statistics by stating that “Because the prefrontal cortex is still developing during teenage years, it makes adolescents even more vulnerable to the media they consume.”

Another concern is the impact of social media on face-to-face interactions. Over-reliance on digital communication can hinder adolescents' development of essential social skills. As they spend more time engaging through screens, they may struggle with in-person interactions, leading to social anxiety and difficulties in building meaningful relationships. In a recent study, “34 percent of teenagers agreed that using social media detracts from the time they should be spending with people face to face.” Furthermore, “at least 44 percent agreed that using social media often distracts them from the people they are in person with.” Social isolation and loss of community are natural negative consequences of “ being present but absent.”

Though the adverse effects feel overwhelming, the positive effects are impactful, too. Social media can improve connectedness and friendship formation.  “Fully 57% of teenagers have met a new online friend, often on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram or playing video games and networked games.” Social media is also a powerful tool for social justice and news reporting. Everyday footage from all parts of the world informs opinions about current events. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement was triggered by viral footage of police brutality. Social media is vital for some teenagers to receive news and stay informed on politics and current events, as it was a vital tool for coverage of the recent election.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the use of drugs in adolescents has remained very low since 2020. Social media could play a more significant role as it is much easier for teens to find resources on substance use and find content of a normalized abstinent lifestyle. Similarly, social media can be seen as a safe place for students who don't feel like they belong in their day-to-day lives. For example, a student who struggles to find support in their household or community can find a place in an online community or hotline. Teenagers struggling with mental health issues can find confidential help at their fingertips, and self-expression is at an all-time high. Even if social media can have downsides, for many teenagers, it's a healthy escape from the real world where you can express yourself and your interests. If teens have a better understanding of the risks of social media use, it would be a consistent  powerful tool of self-expression.