Social Media: The Rise or Fall forTeens?

Social media offers a variety of ways for teenagers to connect with each other despite their location, identity, and opinions. According to a CNN article by Madeline Holcombe, social media plays a major role in the lives of teens as they remain the most active online and the second most easily influenced age group. Additionally, according to a poll published on realresearcher.com, in a 24 hour day, 38.16% of teenagers spend over eight hours a day on social media, 13.39% spend seven to eight hours, and 11.59% spend five to six hours each day on social media. Only 10.70% of teens spend three to four hours and 8.34% spend one to two hours on social media platforms, which means that most teens spend about a third of their day on social media.

Despite the benefits of instant communication, social media can provide a negative impact on today’s youth according to a CNN article by Jacqueline Howards. Social media platforms like YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok provide a place where anyone can post anything, commonly resulting in cyberbullying. Sierra Vista High School’s psychologist, Andrea Walsh claims, “social media can be very harmful when students use it to be mean to others. Things that are put on social media can be devastating to kids who may be the target of negative posts.” Social media increases the risk of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and other mental illnesses. Additionally, according to Holcombe’s CNN article, teens who check their social media platforms more often show an increased neural sensitivity, making teens more sensitive to social feedback and prone to social anxiety and mental illness. Experts suggest taking frequent breaks from social media and suggest spending time on physical activity and trying new activities.

Contrasting negative effects, many teenagers claim social media provides a positive place for youth to spend their time. Emma Riddle, a sophomore at Sierra Vista High School shares, “I do have friends online and having social media does help.” Social media can provide a place where teenagers can make new friends and relate to others online. During a tough time, teens turn to social media, a place where they feel more supported, accepted, connected, and informed. In addition, social media helps numerous small businesses grow. Sierra Vista freshman, Megan Del Rosario, owns and manages a small nail business. Del Rosario claims that social media helped her business grow tremendously. Del Rosario explained, “Yes, it’s helped a lot, I had people reshare/repost my stuff which really helped with promotion.” Along with reposting and sharing her work, Del Rosario manages an Instagram account where she promotes her work and sends out information regarding sales and booking.

As social media use expands, society continues to argue on the impact it leaves on today’s youth. Social media can result in increased neural sensitivity and social illnesses such as depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and eating disorders. However, social media can provide a positive experience for those who use it to their advantage like Martin and Del Rosario.