Social media has some good intentions: connecting you with people all around the world, showing you content you are interested in, and providing endless entertainment. But there are also negative consequences to endless scrolling. Research has shown that young adults who use social media are three times as likely to suffer from depression, putting a large portion of the population at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
In the U.S., suicide rates have declined slightly since 2019, but it continues to be a serious concern among our younger generation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of suicides in females aged 15-24 increased 87 percent over the past 20 years. And among males aged 15-24, the number of suicides rose by 30 percent over that same time period.
Almost every teen now has an account on at least one social media platform. They use social media to reach out to friends, share experiences, and tell the world about themselves. However, without realizing it, they are managing an addiction.
, a licensed clinical social worker at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, explains how our smartphones are, by design, addictive. 鈥淲e get a dopamine release in our brain when we pick up our phone or log into social media,鈥 she says. Using social apps is essentially priming your brain into thinking you are rewarding yourself every time you pick up your device.
Negative Impacts of Social Media
Is it true that using social apps could negatively affect your mental health?
鈥淚n short, yes, social media can have negative consequences for our mental health,鈥 Holzbauer says. 鈥淭he younger generation grew up with social media and the ability to see anything, anytime, anywhere. Our ability to tolerate the distress of waiting has been eroded because we can Google the answer to almost any question. We no longer have to wait to know who was the actor that played Ron Burgundy in Anchorman or where to find the nearest library.鈥
In many ways, social media has removed the barriers between the user and the audience鈥攚ith far-reaching implications. 鈥淲e can act on impulse and post something to social media that may reflect a feeling or thought in the moment but may not be true to us a day later,鈥 Holzbauer says. 鈥淲hen our more level-headed self is back in charge, we can feel embarrassment, shame, or regret for posting something impulsively.鈥
We also know that content can be filtered, edited, and manipulated before it鈥檚 posted, which can lead to unattainable standards being broadcast to the entire world for anyone to see. Users are obsessed with instant gratification and in some instances base their worth or image off the images they see and the amount of likes they receive on their post.
鈥淭he information teens are putting out is one factor鈥攁nother is the information they are taking in,鈥 Holzbauer says. 鈥淪ocial media is giving them access to images, people, and ideas they otherwise would not be able to access. This can be a very positive thing, but we know it can also have negative consequences.鈥
A found Instagram to have harmful effects among a portion of its millions of young users, particularly teenage girls. Findings indicated that Instagram makes body image issues worse for one in three teenage girls. And among teenagers who reported suicidal thoughts, 6 percent in the U.S. traced them back to Instagram.
Warning Signs Your Teen Is Struggling
This is not to say that keeping teens from social media will keep teens from having suicidal thoughts. Instead, it is a call for parents to be aware of what their kids are doing online鈥攁nd to look for any changes in their child鈥檚 behavior.
鈥淚f your child is starting to focus too much of their attention on social media at the expense of real-life interactions, parents should be concerned,鈥 Holzbauer says. 鈥淎t the very least, this should spark a conversation about the behaviors to ensure there aren鈥檛 more serious issues going on like bullying, anxiety, or other issues.鈥
Parents should also look for behaviors not necessarily related to social media that may signal a problem. If a teen is acting differently, seems disinterested in life, or is talking about not wanting to live, actions should be taken. It can be a hard conversation to have鈥攂ut it might save their life.
Parents aren鈥檛 the only ones who should be on alert. Friends should also be aware when it appears someone is in trouble. They may even have more insight into the situation because they are sharing social media experiences and seeing similar content. One thing all teens should know is that if a friend appears to be considering suicide, they should not write it off as someone being 鈥渄ramatic鈥 or seeking attention. Be sure to tell someone if you see concerning behavior online and know the resources available.
Tips for Healthy Social Media Use
We all know how the algorithm works鈥攖he more you look at your phone, the more it will send compelling content to keep your eyes from looking away. It鈥檚 hard to break habits of checking TikTok or Instagram and constantly refreshing to see more, but it鈥檚 important to take time away for our mental and physical health. Parents can set a good example through their own virtual behavior. Here are some tips for parents and their teens.
988, the national suicide and crisis lifeline, is available anytime, anywhere. Simply call, chat, or text 9-8-8 for an immediate response from a licensed mental health professional. In Utah, students also have access to the where they can chat confidentially or submit a tip about themselves or a friend.
Is Social Media Taking Over Your Teen's Life? What You Can Do About It
Teens are spending more time on social media than ever before, and it is taking a toll on their mental and physical health. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, addresses the urgent concerns surrounding excessive social media use among teenagers.
