How Social Media Effects Teens
Jalen Hendrix
Jalen Hendrix
Social media is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, phenomenon of the past ten years. The development of applications like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram became impactful in millions (possibly billions) of people’s lives. Many people find themselves so hooked on social media that they end up going on special cleanses or take long breaks from it. Is it not strange that we actually have to take out blocks of time to isolate ourselves from the madness of something we find on a cellphone?
High schools across the country have made sure that certain applications like the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph, are blocked from the school’s computers. The reason of course is because of young adult’s fascination with social media apps. But why are teens so influenced by these things and is it healthy? “It can be healthy if it’s not an addiction”, says 17 year old Tyara Thompson. She goes onto say, “ It serves as an outlet, it can help boost self esteem, and it allows people to feel accepted and form new relationships with people.”
This is true. Studies have shown that social media can bring happiness to some people. Other studies, however, have proven otherwise. But how and why does social media influence our mental health? “We become isolated on social media.”, says McCarthy Lewis. Which is also very true statement. If teenagers are spending so much time reviewing opinions from other people or looking at things they do not have, that could not cause them to evaluate their own lives and make them realize that they are not living the way their favorite celebrity is. Reading a simple comment like “your so pretty” could cause a young girl to say,“ I wish someone would say that about me.” This could cause low self esteem which could ultimately lead to other internal issues.
Happiness is definitely present on most, if not all social, media profiles. Briana Marks says, “ Some people may post things that show something happy because they want other people to think they’re happy.” It is a false representation. Some people just like to spread positivity, others might just post positive things because they do not want other people to perceive that something negative is going on in their lives. Social media can also cause unnecessary tension between friends, all because a certain picture did not get a like. As petty as it sounds, it does happen, and there are ways to prevent things like that from happening.
Social media is best used for positive things. Making a difference in your community, things like speaking out against certain injustices etc. Needless to say to all the teenagers and young adults, do not let social media control your life. You have things to do, places to explore, and a life to live. So live in the now. And turn off your phone every once in a while.
High schools across the country have made sure that certain applications like the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph, are blocked from the school’s computers. The reason of course is because of young adult’s fascination with social media apps. But why are teens so influenced by these things and is it healthy? “It can be healthy if it’s not an addiction”, says 17 year old Tyara Thompson. She goes onto say, “ It serves as an outlet, it can help boost self esteem, and it allows people to feel accepted and form new relationships with people.”
This is true. Studies have shown that social media can bring happiness to some people. Other studies, however, have proven otherwise. But how and why does social media influence our mental health? “We become isolated on social media.”, says McCarthy Lewis. Which is also very true statement. If teenagers are spending so much time reviewing opinions from other people or looking at things they do not have, that could not cause them to evaluate their own lives and make them realize that they are not living the way their favorite celebrity is. Reading a simple comment like “your so pretty” could cause a young girl to say,“ I wish someone would say that about me.” This could cause low self esteem which could ultimately lead to other internal issues.
Happiness is definitely present on most, if not all social, media profiles. Briana Marks says, “ Some people may post things that show something happy because they want other people to think they’re happy.” It is a false representation. Some people just like to spread positivity, others might just post positive things because they do not want other people to perceive that something negative is going on in their lives. Social media can also cause unnecessary tension between friends, all because a certain picture did not get a like. As petty as it sounds, it does happen, and there are ways to prevent things like that from happening.
Social media is best used for positive things. Making a difference in your community, things like speaking out against certain injustices etc. Needless to say to all the teenagers and young adults, do not let social media control your life. You have things to do, places to explore, and a life to live. So live in the now. And turn off your phone every once in a while.