The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Adolescent Mental Health

Introduction

Technology. Are we better off with it or without it? Can we keep up with the problems that it causes? These are the questions that are on everyone's mind, especially those of us who deal with adolescents. Those of us who basically grew up last century (1950 – 1980) saw a lot of changes in technology. Those changes, for the most part, were ones that made daily life better. The television, computers, the internet, and different parts of the medical field (surgery, patient care, psychology/psychiatry) to name a few.

As someone who has witnessed this technological evolution firsthand,

Digital Communication and Social Disconnection

In my professional experience working with teenagers, what people did not realize were the issues and problems that technology could bring about, mainly with adolescents and their mental health. According to a comprehensive study published in the New York Times, texting, which can be incredibly distracting, can take a toll on a teen's mental health. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, teens are texting over 50 texts per day, and one-third of teens are texting 100 or more per day. One in seven teens sends more than 200 texts. It's easier, they say, to text than to make a phone call. This is a big change from just a few years ago. Kids today would rather text than talk to each other in person. When we were younger, we actually called our friends on the phone or met up with them. Now, everything is through text messages. I see this all the time in my work with teenagers. We need to examine how teens are losing their ability to talk to each other face-to-face.

This isn't just about how teens like to talk to their friends. It's changing how they learn to be social and connect with other people. Technology today is growing way faster than when we were kids. Back then, we had a few TV channels and maybe a phone in the house. Now, there are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat - it's impossible to keep up with all of them, especially for parents who didn't grow up with these things. The impact of social media and mental health concerns has created a new paradigm in adolescent development that demands our immediate attention.

Cyberbullying: A New Frontier

When we were teenagers, and we had a problem at school or with friends – namely bullying – it was usually dealt with quickly (either a physical or verbal fight or our parents meeting with the other teen's parents or the school getting involved). The boundaries were clear, and the impact was contained within our immediate community. Nowadays, it is not face-to-face bullying. Now, the bullying is done on social media, where the ENTIRE world is made aware of what is going on just down the block.

In the past few years, social networking has taken bullying to the extreme. Prior to social media, teens were agitated by school bullies, but today, they are targeted by bullies via the internet. Discussions about the impact of social media on mental health frequently highlight how cyberbullying has become very common among teens. According to a recent survey, nearly 59% of US teens have been bullied and harassed online. What makes cyberbullying more harmful than traditional bullying is anonymity - cyberbullies use fake identities to humiliate and threaten others, which helps them protect their true identity and motivates them to continue their harmful behavior.

The intersection of social media and mental health creates a particularly toxic environment where harassment can persist 24/7. This is where technology causes massive problems. When social media is used, the person spreading the negative information or comments is sitting in front of a computer or looking at the screen of a smartphone, and it doesn't feel real because they are not seeing the impact or hearing what their comments are having on the other person. In my counseling sessions, I've witnessed how this digital disconnect amplifies the psychological damage as bullies feel emboldened by the screen's anonymity. This is where it is very easy for misinterpretations to happen. You don't know whether the person is serious or just being sarcastic – something that you can tell if you are face to face. When kids text or post, they can't see faces or hear tones of voice. They miss all that stuff that would normally tell them, 'Oh, this person is just joking' or 'they're actually upset.' So fights get worse, feelings get hurt more, and the emotional damage just piles up.

Research-Backed Concerns

Looking at all the research that's coming out now about social media, the numbers are backing up what I'm seeing every day with my teenage clients. One study I read showed that teenagers between 14-17 who are on social media for more than 7 hours a day were over twice as likely to be depressed compared to other kids. That matches exactly what I'm seeing. These kids come into my office and tell me how stressed they feel about what they're posting. About 43 percent of them say they feel like they have to post stuff that makes them look good to others. It's exhausting for them.

The addiction to social media platforms has physical consequences as well. As teens sacrifice valuable sleep to stay connected online, they experience sleep deprivation linked to major mental health issues. One study on high school students showed that each hour of lost sleep was associated with a 38 percent increase in the risk of feeling sad and a 58 percent increase in suicidal ideation. In my clinical practice, I've seen these statistics in real-time as sleep-deprived teens become angry, irritable, and unable to concentrate.

Good and Bad Sides of Being Connected

I've been pretty negative about social media so far, but I should probably mention that it's not all terrible. There are actually some good things about it, too. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat allow people to stay connected by sharing life events through photos and status updates. According to one survey, 67% of users feel closer to friends and family because of social media. For international students, these platforms help deal with homesickness and loneliness, with nearly 78.9% of international students reporting that social media helped them adjust to living abroad.

Kids today are always comparing themselves to what they see online. They look at all these perfect pictures and start feeling bad about themselves. I see it every day in my office - teenagers who think they're not good enough because they don't look like the people they follow on Instagram. They're analyzing every little thing about themselves, and it's making them depressed and anxious. The impact of social media on mental health is huge for these kids, and most parents don't even realize what's happening. Despite providing tools for connection, social media often results in physical isolation and poor-quality relationships - a paradox that deepens the mental health crisis among teens.

Instant Gratification and Patience Erosion

As a mental health professional spanning two technological eras, we as adults are having a hard time keeping up with all the positive/negative technology that is available to teenagers. While we are better equipped to handle most of what is thrown our way via social media due to our more developed coping mechanisms, teenagers are not able to do the same. The rapid evolution of social media and mental health challenges has created an unprecedented psychological landscape for today's youth. What we had growing up (TV (7-9 channels) and music (8-track, cassettes, vinyl records) was not necessarily instant gratification. Maybe, according to our elders, it was (since they had even less technology), but it is nowhere near what adolescents are facing today. The delayed gratification we experienced naturally built resilience and patience - crucial psychological skills that today's instant-access culture often undermines.

Again, while we were teenagers, we had to wait for something (new electronics, new clothing, the latest cellphone, a TV show we wanted to see, and if we missed it – oh well). When we were kids, we watched TV together or played board games as a family. Now, everyone's on their own phone or tablet doing their own thing. Kids aren't learning how to read facial expressions or take turns in conversation. They're just alone with their screens. This is why so many teenagers don't know how to handle basic social situations - they've never had to practice these skills.

FOMO and Sleep Impact

Today's teenagers have a lot to deal with, especially the negative impact of social media. According to research, every hour of sleep lost is associated with a 38% increased risk of sadness and a 58% increase in suicidal thoughts, which confirms my observations as a counselor. As a counselor, I've observed how social media and mental health issues create a reinforcing cycle of anxiety and depression. They may deal with low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety, a lot of which is normal in a teenager. But this is exacerbated by the immediateness of the different things that are posted on social media. Research shows that constant social media exposure triggers cortisol releases similar to those experienced during chronic stress. They also deal with sleep deprivation, which also affects their mental status as well as their academics.

Think back to when you were a kid. You would lie in bed reading a book under the covers with a flashlight so that your parents wouldn't "know" what you were doing. That seems almost quaint now, doesn't it? Imagine a never-ending book – social media – something that you can't put down because of the fear of missing out (FOMO) on the next post, tweet, etc. In my practice, I've seen teenagers whose sleep patterns have been completely disrupted by this digital anxiety. Unfortunately, some teenagers haven't made the connection between what's making them feel bad and what is happening online. They're caught in what I call a 'digital drowning spiral' - the very thing causing their distress becomes their primary coping mechanism. And then, to make matters worse, they don't tell their parents or guardians, who normally would find somewhere where the teenager could seek help (mental health provider). Instead, they either seek out their friends or, in most cases, a stranger online, which brings them right back to the problem, not the solution.

Online Reality vs. Fiction

What teenagers have a hard time doing is separating fact from fiction. This challenge has become exponentially more complex in the age of social media and mental health concerns. We, as adults, also have a hard time doing the same thing, but I believe that we are more prepared to do it. Through years of counseling teens, I've witnessed how the carefully curated nature of social media creates unrealistic expectations and damages self-image. Many teenagers may suffer from "the grass is always greener on the other side." Psychological research confirms that constant comparison with idealized online characters can trigger or exacerbate depression and anxiety disorders.

They read the different profiles that are posted on social media, and they believe that this is the truth of the person who posted it. According to recent psychological studies, this constant comparison to idealized online personas can trigger or exacerbate depression and anxiety disorders. They have no way of knowing if this is true or if this is just something that someone posted to make themselves appear better than they are. The digital masquerade becomes particularly dangerous when considering how pedophiles and stalkers get what they want. They post a picture of someone who does not even remotely look like them. They create this whole "persona" with likes and hobbies, addresses, and schools that the adolescent can't check (or doesn't want to). This digital deception exploits teenagers' natural vulnerability and desire for connection. Slowly, they reel them in and then just dare them to meet somewhere so they can really get to know each other. There has also been a rise in stalking, pedophilia, kidnapping, etc. The statistics are alarming: reports of online predatory behavior have increased by 258% in the last five years alone.

Mental Health Treatment

Mental health providers are having a difficult time trying to make their teenage patients believe that everything that is posted is not necessarily the truth. The relationship between social media and mental health creates unique challenges in therapeutic settings. Adolescents feel that if it's posted then it has to be true. These kids believe everything they see online because they're looking for something solid to hold onto. The world feels crazy to them, and social media seems like something they can understand.

The big problem is that many families can't afford ongoing therapy for their kids because insurance is so expensive. So we have all these teenagers who need help but no way to get it to them. What many of the providers are suggesting is that parents get more involved with their children's daily lives by having dinner together, shutting off technology for the weekend, checking their work from school, and asking questions to ascertain if there are any problems that can be nipped in the bud, have parents or adults explain that everything they read is not necessarily the truth. I tell parents they need to do simple things like have dinner with their kids and just talk to them. It doesn't seem like much, but it gives teenagers a chance to connect with real people instead of just screens.

Teenagers are desperate to fit in with their friends. They'll make themselves look better online if they have to. They post fake stuff about their lives to seem cool. I call this 'digital identity fracture' - they become one person online and a completely different person in real life. This splits them apart inside, and they don't know who they really are anymore. The only problem is that if they are caught in this lie, not just the immediate area friends find out, but the whole world does so as well. While social media may have some positive aspects, such as helping international students overcome loneliness (about 78.9% report such benefits), the negative impact on teenagers is more significant, as research consistently shows. The worst thing about social media is how it takes every little mistake and blasts it out to everyone. What used to be just between a few friends now gets seen by hundreds of people. And that hits these kids hard psychologically - way harder than it would if it was just a private thing.

Technology Addiction and Body Image Distortion

The research I've seen lately is really scary. Teenage girls are especially affected when they constantly see these "perfect" bodies on Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. They start thinking there's something wrong with how they look, even when they're completely normal. I've had 14-year-old girls in my office talking about plastic surgery because of what they see online. The impact of social media on mental health concerns is particularly evident in how young people perceive their physical appearance.

Some mental health providers have suggested that we, as parents, limit the use of technology to a couple of hours daily. Easier said than done. In my practice, I've observed withdrawal symptoms that mirror those of substance dependence: when some teenagers have their internet usage limited, some actually have anxiety attacks. Their phone is like an extension of their body, and they can't seem to comprehend the need to disconnect from it. Neurological research reveals that the dopamine release patterns during social media use are strikingly similar to those observed in other addictive behaviors.

They feel that if they are not paying attention to it continuously, then they are missing out on something important. This has been labeled as Internet compulsion since teenagers are unable and unwilling to stay off any form of social media. The psychological grip of this digital dependency affects the same part of the brain that causes gambling, drinking, and drug addiction.

What Can Parents Actually Do?

In my years of working with teens, I've seen what helps and what doesn't. Parents ask me all the time what they should do about their kid's phone addiction.

First off, parents have got to get more involved with what their kids are doing. Have a meal together. Talk about their day at school. Check out their homework. It's not complicated stuff - it's just the basics that nobody seems to do anymore because everyone's too busy. I tell you what though, deal with the little issues now and you won't have those huge meltdowns to handle later.

Secondly, we must draw lines around technologies. Of course, you will not be throwing away all your phones, but perhaps you can try a screen-free weekend. Maybe no phones are allowed for dinner. Or, phones are kept off an hour before bedtime. I've seen this work with families in my practice - kids sleep better and aren't as moody when they're not on their phones right before trying to fall asleep.

Third, you gotta talk to your kids about all the fake stuff online. Just sit them down and be honest - tell them nobody's posting about their bad days. You don't see pictures of people when they've been crying or when they failed a test. It's all vacations and parties and perfect selfies. Kids need to understand that they're seeing a highlight reel, not real life.

And look, if your kid is already feeling really down or anxious because of social media, just cutting back on screen time probably isn't going to be enough. They might need to talk to someone like me who understands what kids are going through with technology these days. I send kids to other therapists all the time, and it's crazy how much it helps them to just have someone besides Mom and Dad to talk to about this stuff. The combination of professional guidance and family support creates the strongest foundation for healthy development in our digital age.

Conclusion

The insidiousness of an "addiction" to the internet is that you develop more of a mental dependence on everything online. As both a mental health professional and someone who has witnessed the digital revolution firsthand, I've seen how social media and mental health have become inseparably intertwined in the adolescent experience. Researchers have also linked compulsive Internet use to a range of mental health concerns, including mental ill-health, low self-esteem, loneliness, depression, social phobia, and even suicidal thoughts. The CDC's recent report showing a 40-year high in teen suicide rates cannot be divorced from this digital context. There has been a rise in teen suicide due to excessive use of the internet, what is written on social media, and bullying.

As technology continues growing, social media has become an imperative part of our society. While it has enhanced our connectivity in some ways, the negative effects on teens' mental health are substantial - frequent use causes depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation while simultaneously degrading communication skills and relationship quality. Cyberbullying has emerged as another significant problem, causing mental distress among teens and contributing to the rise in teen suicide rates.

Yet, I remain cautiously optimistic. A number of studies have found associations between increased social media use and the aforementioned issues, in addition to sleep problems and eating concerns, and teenagers giving in to peer pressure. We need to help our kids figure out how to use technology without letting it take over their lives. I don't think we should just say, "All technology is bad," because that's not realistic. Instead, we need to teach our kids how to think about what they're seeing online and how to bounce back when social media makes them feel bad. These are skills they'll need for their whole lives since technology isn't going away.

Did you like this example?

2159

90