Searcy, AR (LP) — Excessive social media use can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction with life in users, but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. 24% of Teens Are Online ‘Almost Constantly’ 76% of Teens Engage in Social Media – 71% are on Facebook, 52% on Instagram, 41% on Snapchat, 33% use Twitter and 14% are on Tumblr. 77% of Parents Say Their Teens Are Distracted By Devices When They Are Together. Young people spend a lot of time on social media. They’re also more susceptible to peer pressure, low self-esteem and mental ill-health. A number of studies have found associations between increased social media use and depression, anxiety, sleep problems, eating concerns, and suicide risk. Frequent use of social media actually rewires the developing teen brain to constantly seek out immediate gratification. Consequently, it can lead to other addictive behaviors. 

There’s no such thing as an official diagnosis of “social media addiction.” But social media overuse is increasingly commonplace today, and it may have some serious repercussions to your physical and mental health. However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Mr. Hodges says “While there is evidence of more loneliness among heavy social media users, there is also evidence suggesting social media use decreases loneliness among highly social people.”  Social media may promote negative experiences such as: Inadequacy about your life or appearance. Social media has the ability to both capture and scatter your attention. Not only does this lead to poorer cognitive performance, but it shrinks parts of the brain associated with maintaining attention. When people look online and see they’re excluded from an activity, it can affect thoughts and feelings, and can affect them physically. A 2018 British study tied social media use to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance. Social media can affect teenagers in both positive and negative ways. Research has found that social media use can affect self-esteem, and make typical teenage pressure and bullying worse, but it can also connect isolated teens and help them find supportive networks. Mrs. Crisler says, “I see teens denying the problem.  When I talk to parents about low grades caused by time spent on phones instead of working in class students will almost alway say- “I’m not on my phone in that class.”  I truly believe most teens and parents do not realize the addiction until it is a serious problem.” Through social media networks, they can create new friendships, express their views and opinions, and even create ‘new identities’. Social media also exposes students to a whole new way of learning. Research has shown that students who are frequent users of social media are more innovative and exhibit better memory. 

You’ve started to rot your brain. Social media is literally rewiring our brains to multitask, leaving American citizens unable to focus on one topic at a time. Mr. Hodges says “One of the most common contributors to social media depression among teenagers is sleep deprivation.” What’s happening is that as our brain is getting rewired by the media that we keep consuming, it is becoming less able to focus on one task. Social media and mobile devices may lead to psychological and physical issues, such as eyestrain and difficulty focusing on important tasks. They may also contribute to more serious health conditions, such as depression. The overuse of technology may have a more significant impact on developing children and teenagers. Mrs. Chisler says, “I think about 1/2.” Digital media has become a significant factor in many young people’s day to day routine. On an academic level, social media can have a negative effect on student productivity when it comes to concentration in the classroom, timekeeping, and conscientiousness. It found that 87% of women and 65% of men compare their bodies to images they consume on social and traditional media. In that comparison, a stunning 50% of women and 37% of men compare their bodies unfavorably. Many teens in relationships view social media as a place where they can feel more connected with the daily contours of their significant other’s life, share emotional connections and let their significant other know they care although these sites can also lead to feelings of jealousy or uncertainty. 

The illusion that others are more popular due to the number of “friends” or “followers” they have. Seeing pictures of a group of friends that you consider yourself to be close to but you weren’t invited to join them. Having your social connections reaffirmed makes you feel good. Mr. Hodges says “You may not want to be around other people or may obsess constantly about what you eat or how much you exercise.” Social networks are physically addictive as well as psychologically. A study from Harvard University showed that self-disclosure online fires up a part of the brain that also lights up when taking an addictive substance, like cocaine. Mr. Hodges says “Attempting to measure up can distract you and your partner from the relationship.” Social Media Anxiety Disorder is a syndrome that relates to generalized Social Anxiety, and is acquired when the participation of social media affects the mental and physical well-being of an individual. For many teens, social media can become almost addictive. Mrs. Crisler says, “Set time limits on technology use as a whole.  Mrs. Crisler says, “I am not sure which app is the most toxic- I do not use social media myself because I have seen the negative effects it has had on my students, friends, and family.  I would say though that the more personal information the app shares and the more time it takes from a person’s daily life then the more dangerous it becomes.” Spend time with real-live people in person.  Set some rules for yourself- no phones at dinner-no phones when you are in the presence of my friends.  Start small- challenge yourself to not get your phone out between classes for a day- talk to 3 new people. Try having a conversation with a teacher.  Or, take up new hobbies- knit, read a book, pick up trash in the park!  Live outside yourself!” In a study by researchers at the UCLA brain mapping center, they found that certain regions of teen brains became activated by “likes” on social media, sometimes causing them to want to use social media more. Mrs. Crisler says, “We are building lives in a cyber world but losing connections with the real people around us.  I feel I have many students who are afraid to talk to other people in person. I fear they are not going to be able to get and keep jobs because of their addictions to phones.” People become unhappy with their current circumstances, leading to problems with self-esteem and depression. Social media use has also been associated with cyber bullying and cyber abuse by anonymous users online, which leads to problems of self-esteem, privacy ,etc. “A 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13- to 17-year-old found that 45% are online almost constantly and 97% use a social media platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Snap chat.” The constant exposure to such platforms leads to a higher chance of having mental health issues, which can start small. Research suggests that time spent on social networking sites is associated with body image issues and disordered eating in teen girls. 88% of girls say they compare themselves to images in the media and half claim that they feel negatively affected by this. 

If teens feel they are coming up short in the social media world, it can have a negative impact on their self-esteem and self-image, and lead to anxiety and depression. It is that embarrassing moment that has been exposed, that can cause the teenager to feel lost, abandoned—and worse—to have suicidal thoughts.  Too much passive use of social media – just browsing posts – can be unhealthy and has been linked to feelings of envy, inadequacy and less satisfaction with life. Studies have even suggested that it can lead to ADHD symptoms, depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation. Social Media has many positive effects on education including better communication, timely information, socializing online, learning, enhancing skills, making a career among others. But the same has some negative effects which include identity theft, cyber bullying, and social isolation.