The Negative Effects of Social Media on Teenagers, Youth or Adolescents

Technology advancements have been a blessing to human beings, and today, computers and mobile devices have become a part of our daily lives. The internet is also a part of the technology many of us have come to appreciate. Basically, in this day and age, it is the internet that makes the world go round. Social media, for instance, is a part of the internet that has created a greater avenue for people to interact globally. Nowadays, social media negative effects are not unknown. Sadly, our teenagers and adolescents have taken on social media to the extent that it can have severe effects on their overall well-being if not monitored or restricted.

The Negatives of Social Media

There are several advantages and disadvantages of social media in our lives and society. It affects teens very quickly.

Thus, it is important to know how does social media affect teens. The effects of social media on teens can be dangerous. Take a look at the negative effects of social media on teenagers.

Adolescents social media

The Negative Effects of Social Media on Teenagers

How does social media affect teenagers? We should acknowledge that teenagers and adolescents are extremely vulnerable to certain growth and developmental aspects of life. Therefore, the effects that social media usage has on these children should be of particular importance to every knowing adult. The negative impacts of social media should be noticed in time.

As much as social media is known to be a great social network tool, its evils in society cannot be overlooked. Adolescents and teenagers are especially susceptible to potential harm from social media usage. If not recognized on time and handled, these negative impacts of social media can be risky to your adolescent children’s health and social well-being.

The negative effects of social media on teens/negative impact of social media on youth are as follows;

1. Facebook Depression

Facebook depression is an emotional disturbance associated with social media usage. When a teenager is made to feel inferior to their social media counterparts, they often fall into a depression commonly referred to as a Facebook depression. The need to stand out, fit in, or be accepted by their Facebook friends drives teenagers towards this form of emotional disturbance.

2. Anxiety

We are more curious about knowing what others are doing than spending time for ourselves. Those who spend more time on social media become victims of depression and anxiety because it adversely affects their thought processes and mood.

Good mental health is important for study, career, and personal life. Thus, it is recommended that you spend only a half-hour per day on mental health instead of wasting your whole day.

3. Cyberstalking

Nowadays, cyberstalking has become an issue. We have already covered a few articles related to Facebook stalking, Instagram Stalking, and WhatsApp Stalking.

Smartphones are connecting people. But, the negative effects of smartphones on youth can be seen today. Social media friends know where you are if you’re always sharing your location. Teenagers are used to updating their status, sharing what they’re watching, listening to, reading, and where checking in. This habit becomes an addiction and makes them hyperactive because they always look for new updates from their friends. They check every notification and alert to respond because they believe responding on time is necessary.

Teenagers find new friends on social media and never take a rest. Such connections are virtual but can produce anxiety and cause depression. Some teenagers feel lonely when their virtual friend is not online or responds on time. They took everything seriously, any status update or text.

Parents must have healthy conversations with their children and guide them on how to deal with situations. Teenagers, in particular, require their parents’ full attention.

4. Cyberbullying

A cyberbully uses social media to communicate false, embarrassing, or hostile information to specific users. Among the significant effects of social media, cyberbullying is an evil that has become atypical today. Victims of prolonged cyberbullying often end up with psychosocial problems like depression, isolation, loneliness, stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and some even become suicidal.

The lack of a mechanism to unravel users behind cyberbullying accounts is what is making these activities rampant.

How to manage the effects of cyberbullying?

  • Understand these effects and the risks they pose to teenagers.
  • Familiarize yourself with these social media platforms.
  • Get informed on what drives teens to seek social media attention.
  • Establish excellent communication with your teenage child.
  • Set ground rules on the usage of social media.
  • If necessary, get a monitoring app for social media on your child’s device.

5. Sleep Deprivation

Social media is among the leading causes of sleep deprivation in teens today. They are constantly worried about what their friends are posting and sharing. Adolescents can stay active on social media for longer durations if not prompted to stop. If they do this, especially during sleep time or just before sleep, then there is a high possibility of their sleep being disrupted. The readings can help you understand the importance of sleep and the associated risks of sleep loss.

There are a few apps for tracking your sleep patterns. You can find them on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

6. Lower Self-esteem

Most teen girls start comparing themselves with celebrities after spending time on social media and want to look slim, pretty, and rich like them. It is expected to copy those persons they admire or consider a role model in the teenage. This imitation can negatively affect their self-respect and dignity. Different studies’ outcomes show that girls who spend more time on social media to portray themselves as celebrities are isolated from their friends. Their friends do not accept them.

7. Social Isolation

There is a statistical relationship between the use of social media and social isolation. When teenagers see pictures or videos of a party to which they were not invited, it can bring anxiety. It is known as the “fear of missing out” or FOMO. Most of the time, teenage children believe they connect to different persons using social media, but actually, they are out of the present moment and their lives. It can become a cause for feeling more isolated and a reason for FOMO.

8. Impractical Expectations

You won’t be surprised if I say Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are the reasons for impractical expectations and friendships. You can not cross-check the authenticity of other’s activities.

Nobody should lie on social media in an ideal situation, but showbiz and promotion strategies will not change shortly. Instagram and YouTube celebrities, including influencers, are bound to use such strategies to attract audiences.

9. Poor Concentration

Today negative effects of social media on students can be seen easily. Different tasks, such as schoolwork, classwork, or homework, require more concentration to deal with something important, but now teenagers have a habit of simultaneously using social media. Most of them consider it multitasking, but it is not. Research shows constant interruption adversely affects attention and reduces learning and performance.

10. Decreased Activity

Teenagers who use social media heavily do not spend enough time on activities that definitely increase mental abilities, skills, and physical movement. Those who exercise daily, their bodies release endorphins that signal their brain to stay positive and reduce depression. Thus, decreased activities reduce the secretion of endorphins and it is causing depression, a common problem.

11. Internet Addiction

Uncontrolled social media usage among teens can lead to internet addiction. The more time kids spend on social media, the more they become exposed to new stories and ideas they want to explore. This habit eventually turns into an addiction that, if not handled early, can affect their school performance, mental health, and even personal development.

Do you feel sad if your social media content does not get likes? How do you feel when you do not open your social media account for a day? What’s the real feeling when your followers drop? Is there a negative feeling when someone unfollows you? These are some checkpoints to check your addiction level.

12. Suicide and Self-harm Content

Social media is not only addictive but can also lead to suicide and self-harm. Teenagers on the internet can do anything to receive attention. When youth see someone getting attention by doing a self-harm activity, they copycat without a second thought. They do it to show their bravery or because of poor mental health.

The situation worsens when they start sharing suicide methods and encourage others to engage in suicidal behavior. Research and case studies show suicide is contagious and can spread through social networks. When a person notices a suicide attempt or death, it stimulates that person’s risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts.

The Solution to Social Media Addiction

If a teenager is addicted to social media, it is our responsibility to talk about social media detox. But how do we measure addiction? There are some signs that help you take a break from social media. You need to identify them on time. Here, you can learn how a social media break can improve your mental health.

We have prepared a list of potentially dangerous apps parents should know about. You should learn about these inappropriate apps to save your teens from unknown dangers.

Thanks for this reading – the negative impact of social media on youth.

19 thoughts on “The Negative Effects of Social Media on Teenagers, Youth or Adolescents”

  1. Avatar photo
    Dr Zakir Ali

    In the way the passion of social media is increasing, in the coming days, it is going to become a serious problem. You have explained these dangers in detail. Gratitude.

  2. Avatar photo
    David Javier

    Thanks for the info and details, it will be a great help to my research and talks to our elementary students. God bless you more.

  3. I am using this for a social media paper in this page is very informative when I look at others I see one or two reasons but this page is filled with interesting facts thank you.

  4. I am writing an essay and this website is extremely helpful and educational. I am glad that I came across it and I hope that others find it just as helpful, educational and will take this information into though the next time there on social media.

  5. Avatar photo
    Abdikafi Moalim

    Thanks for sharing. I really wondered how I was addicted to social media.
    After I read this article, I decided not to use social media more.
    Thanks!

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