Social media continues to soar in popularity among today’s youth. With its ever-changing landscape and trendy environment, teens and young adults remain at the leading edge of this space. Research shows nearly 97% of teens and young adults use a social media platform, with over 45% spending the majority of their day online. Almost all U.S. teens reported using the internet daily. But how does social media impact today’s youth in terms of mental health?
Introduced as a means to stay connected with one another, social media continues to provide outlets for teens to communicate with other like-minded individuals and build their social networks. Teens can find valuable support online especially those who may not feel connected in their day-to-day lives. Social media also allows teens to create online identities to embrace their self-expression and individualism.
However, social media can still negatively impact youth in terms of mental health. The Pew Research Center noted the majority of teens (54%) believe it would be hard to give up social media. Other studies have observed links between high levels of social media use and depression and anxiety symptoms. Social media can also be correlated to loneliness, depending on an individual’s experience.
One of the most empowering ways that youth can protect their mental health is by cultivating healthy social media habits. This includes balancing how much time they spend online with seeing friends in real life and engaging in activities. For parents, it is essential to create a supportive environment where youth have the necessary skills to make informed decisions, know the warning signs of mental distress, and seek help when needed.
If social media use continues to impact the mental health of a child or teen, consider reaching out to Oaks Integrated Care for support. Oaks offers caring, compassionate programs for adults, children and families living with a mental illness. Our programs throughout New Jersey give individuals the opportunity to make healthy choices, stabilize symptoms of illness and eventually reach his or her full potential. To learn more about Oaks services or schedule an appointment, take the first step and call our Access Center at 1-800-963-3377.
