Social Media and Student Mental Health Part 1: Exploring the Issues
This article will focus on social media’s effects on high school and college age users.
By Mari Whitmore — August 8, 2023
In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of the lives of both high school and college students. Teens and young adults join social media for many reasons, such as connecting with friends, meeting new people with like-minded interests, keeping up with world trends and events, and sharing their voices and talents with the world. Data indicates that the most active demographic on social media is women in their twenties, and that approximately 90% of teens are present on some type of social media. Young people are overwhelmingly likely to be active on at least one social media network, making it a phenomenon that impacts the vast majority of high school and college students today. While social media is a powerful tool that allows young people to build connections and show their creativity, it also harbors risks to mental and emotional health. This article will focus on social media's effects on high school and college age users, and will delve into the relationship between social media usage and mental well-being, exploring potential risks and strategies to maintain a healthy balance.
Social Media Risks
While your parents or guardians may have somewhat dictated your online habits in the past, as you become more independent, you should equip yourself to make decisions regarding your own health and well-being and educate yourself on the possible effects of social media. Just as it would be unwise to drive a car without first learning how, or to go sky-diving without thoroughly understanding the risks and learning how to stay safe, users of social media should also be informed and aware of both the positives and the potential negatives associated with social media use.
Privacy
Some of the negatives of social media use are linked to internet use in general, as social media use can put you at risk for identity theft, privacy violations and concerns, and exposure to harmful content. Safety tips such as avoiding use of your full name and not disclosing personal information or your current location are important to keep in mind on social media sites, even though the trend of broadcasting your current location and activity has become so common as to be almost automatic. Consider anonymizing your social media profiles, or changing the settings from public to private to help protect yourself. If you are a minor, these steps are especially important to keep you safe. Be careful what you share on social media, as nothing on the internet is truly private, and once you post something, it never goes away.
Cyberbullying
The online world can also expose you to cyberbullying and harassment, resulting in adverse mental health outcomes. Cyberbullying involves the use of digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or humiliate others. Victims of cyberbullying often experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Online harassment, including hate speech and targeted abuse, can significantly impact your mental well-being. If you or someone around you is suffering from cyberbullying, reach out and seek help from friends, family, or mental health professionals.
Mental Health
While social media platforms have revolutionized the way we connect, share, and perceive ourselves and others, research suggests a complex association between social media use and mental health outcomes, even when cyberbullying is not present. Numerous studies indicate a link between heavy social media use and depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults. A 2022 Pew Research poll indicated that nearly half of teen girls and a third of teen boys found themselves overwhelmed by "all the drama" on social media. Studies from 2019, one published in JAMA Psychiatry and one in The Lancet, indicated that the even relatively short amounts of time spent on social media correlated with increased mental health issues, especially given that many people today are online nearly constantly.
The studies found that teens who spent three or more hours per day on social media or who checked their social media as few as three or more times per day were at higher risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. One reason for this is because social media allows people to put forth an image of themselves and their lives that is unrealistic. A 2023 health advisory from the American Psychological Association stated that young people already vulnerable to mental health issues could be made worse by exposure to social media. Constant comparison with carefully curated profiles can lead to negative self-perception and lower self-esteem, and exposure to idealized body images on social media has been found to heighten body dissatisfaction and contribute to the development of eating disorders. Continual scrolling on social media can also negatively impact your dopamine receptors, leading to mental health issues and even addiction.
Social Media Addiction
According to a 2022 article in Medical News Today, social media addiction is a growing problem for people in their teens and twenties, and can contribute to rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide risk. A 2019 study indicated that 40% of college-age Americans felt addicted to social media, and the numbers have only increased since then as social media usage has expanded. Social media is addictive by design, as it works to keep users engaged and logged on. Social media addiction happens because your brain can become accustomed to the constant stream of dopamine supplied by endless scrolling, notifications, and posts. Symptoms of social media addiction include feeling compelled to check social media and anxiety or mood changes when not able to do so, spending increased amounts of time on social media and less time on other activities, and withdrawal symptoms when separated from social media. These symptoms can all be highly problematic for students in particular and can be linked with lack of attention in class, difficulty completing assignments, and inability to focus on academics.
Self-Evaluation
If you're not sure how much social media impacts you, consider giving it up for a time to evaluate your own emotions and reactions without social media usage. Log off or delete the apps from your phone for a few days or a week and don't check any social media sites through other means. Remember that it should be normal for your brain to do without something that isn't physically necessary (such as sleep, food, water, etc.) for a few days without any adverse or withdrawal effects. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if it's extremely difficult or practically impossible for you to go with social media for a short time, you should consider cutting back overall and evaluating whether you might be experiencing a social media addiction or dependence. Keep reading for part two of this series for tips on finding a healthy balance with social media.
Mari Whitmore
Mari Whitmore recently graduated from a tiny private college in the middle of beautiful Wyoming. She spends her time traveling, adventuring in nature, writing, and working as a barista and bartender. Recently, Mari relocated to the gorgeous hill country of Central Texas. In her free time, she loves to hike, paddleboard, read, paint, watch movies, and gather with friends and family.
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