According to a study by the mayo clinic, “13- to 17-year-olds found that 45% are online almost constantly and 97% use a social media platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat.” (Teens and social media use: Whats the impact?) All of this time online is not always great for teens. It can cause a lot of mental and body positivity, but it is not all bad. It also connects and brings the relationships between people closer. Companies also influence this, with them targeting ads and other algorithms.
Studies and experts have shown that most teens spend around 3 hours a day on social media. Spending this much time on social media is not healthy. Research has found that teens have depression and anxiety more than ever. “A 2016 study of more than 450 teens found that greater social media use, nighttime social media use, and emotional investment in social media — such as feeling upset when prevented from logging on — were each linked with worse sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression.” (Teens and social media use: What’s the impact?). They also found that female teens especially go through this with a rise in this group checking into mental facilities for body positivity issues and suicide. “A Study found that older adolescents who used social media passively, such as by just viewing others’ photos, reported declines in life satisfaction.” (Teens and social media use: What’s the impact?)
Social media can also be positive, and it helps connect people and connect with their friends. According to the mayo clinic, “Teens also use social media for entertainment and self-
expression.”. I know that during covid, I spent much time on Snapchat and discord. I do not know that people also use social media as a news source because they can see all of the sides right in front of them in one place at one time. According to this article by “Common Sense Media” “More than half of teens (54%) get news at least a few times a week from social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and 50% get news from YouTube.”
John, I think your view on this subject is completly true and a very good topic to bring up espicially in the age of social media itself. Your article is very well written and the facts supporting this subject just further the point that too much social media is unhealthy for anyone. When you said that ” They found that female teens especially go through this with a rise in this group checking into mental facilities for body positivity issues and suicide.” I found this too be a good point and very relevant. If you are interested in social media and teens I suggest you look at this article by the Child Mind Institute. ” https://childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/ ” Thank you so much for your writing John, I can’t wait to see what you write next!