The look and dynamics of social life have changed exponentially with the advent of social media.
Millions of people rely on it to communicate with others and maintain relationships.
It’s reported [1] that 95% of teens have a smartphone, 45% of whom say they’re on their phone constantly.
As with most things in life, where there are benefits there are negatives and social media has introduced some of the most severe consequences in relation to teenage mental health, as well as long-term outcomes.
It’s important to be aware of the impact of social media on your child.
Awareness brings knowledge and with it an understanding of how to address these related issues.
Think social media might be having a negative impact on the mental health of your child? Reach out to us today on 0800 140 4690
The average age for opening a social media account is just twelve and a half. [2]
Since 1995, teen life has altered from all previous generations.
For modern teenagers, social life is hugely influenced by social media platforms, their associated behaviours and the relationships that form and are maintained through them.
Social media is here to stay. Teenagers widely use it and aren’t about to stop.
Knowing a little about the teenage brain and the effects of social media on mental health is critical.
It helps us to look after the young people in society with awareness and compassion.
To further discuss the relationship between teenagers and social media use, call our team on 0800 140 4690
Understanding how the teenage brain functions during social media use is fascinating.
Research shows [3] that when using social media, the same part of the brain used when eating chocolate or winning money is activated.
This is the reward centre, which is linked to addictive behaviour.
This reward circuitry is thought to be particularly sensitive during adolescence.
Of course, along with this part of the brain being activated, apps are designed to be addictive.
Young people are particularly susceptible to developing compulsive use of social media. Another thing to keep in mind is that some teenagers are particularly vulnerable to particular content.
Not all will have built up the skills or resilience to emotionally regulate around the disturbing content that they might come across.
To learn more about the teenage brain and how social media can impact it, call our experts on 0800 140 4690
Humans are social creatures – we thrive through connection to others.
Neglect during childhood has severe consequences and can lead to pathological illnesses. As we continue to age we need to be around and communicate to and share with others.
Social dynamics, though, can be both healthy and unhealthy.
This is particularly seen in the effects of social media use.
There are many great things about social media.
Firstly, communication is easy, instant, and people are able to maintain long-distance relationships without too much effort.
Secondly, social media can be used to educate yourself as well as others through sharing reliable sources of information.
This is a great way to quickly access and learn, especially in a world where attention spans are increasingly shortening.
Finally, another great impact of social media is that it offers online communities to join.
This is positive to support connection to others with similar interests, but also those who live with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and other circumstances which can lead to social exclusion.
Social media provides easy ways to meet others and form significant relationships.
There are lots of negative impacts of social media, from the physical right through to the emotional and social.
These include:
Started spotting the negative impacts of social media use in your child? Find out what to do by calling us today on 0800 140 4690
As mentioned, too much time on social media platforms can lead to mental health issues for teenagers.
Keeping an eye out for signs that they’re struggling is really important.
When you identify anxious or depressive symptoms, addictive behaviours, or negative social effects then you’re at the first step to supporting them to heal.
Signs your teenager is struggling with their mental health due to their social media use include:
Get the support you need to overcome social media addiction by talking to us on 0800 140 4690
As a caregiver or parent, it’s vital to help your young person develop healthy social media use.
This concerns not only how but also when and what they access.
You’ll want to limit their social media use and screen time, as well as encourage them to participate in other activities, hobbies, and face-to-face contact with others. They will need time to focus on their education.
You can actually help them to set time restraints on their phones and apps themselves.
Some parents opt to support their children by monitoring their accounts, although this can be a contentious move.
This might be linked to the amount of time they spend online as well as in relation to the content they’re viewing and are exposed to.
Developing a bedtime routine can be crucial to developing healthy social media use and supporting healthy sleeping patterns.
Doing so will have knock-on effects in other areas. Sleep is essential for rest, repair, positive mood and general well-being and functioning.
Talking to your teenager about how they use social media and what they like about it opens the discussion around it.
This brings social media into daily life and makes it easier to raise issues if and when they should arise.
Be interested in your teenager’s opinions and ask questions. If anything worrying comes up, explore this in a non-judgmental way so they feel safe to keep sharing.
Clear communication and discussion around healthy use and what constitutes online bullying as well as real lives and how people portray themselves are important topics of conversation.
Finally, help your child to work on any self-esteem issues that may have arisen. This might include building resilience through taking part in activities and shared interests.
Ensure that your teen gets the support they need to beat social media addiction by calling us on 0800 140 4690
As just mentioned, it’s important to talk to your teen in everyday life about social media and its content.
ne of the most crucial topics to broach is the reality behind online content.
Social media sites attract all types of people.
This includes marketers and an entire industry committed to extracting money from audiences.
This might be through subtle means (i.e. influencing through the image of a star wearing a new mascara) right through to people obviously pushing specific products.
Discuss the negative effects of this, as well as how the image of a person can look incredibly different to a person’s actual life.
Teen depression is a real concern that can be increased through online behaviours.
Talk about how limiting time on social media is linked to better well-being and mental health. [6]
Let your teenager know about this, tell them how you feel about it and ask what they think and feel.
Finally, if your child is really struggling with mental health, addictive use or self-esteem, it’s advisable to seek help from a mental health professional.
For guidance on how to talk about the reality behind social media use, give our team a call on 0800 140 4690
Prolonged social media use is linked to poor sleep, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a negative body image. As well as this, there are also a variety of issues linked to bullying, eating disorders, addiction, and self-harm which also arise.
Though there are benefits to social media, it can be very harmful to kids especially if unmonitored. It’s important that parents and caregivers are aware of how teenagers are spending their time online and what they’re exposed to.
You can help your teen by limiting their social media use, monitoring their app use and having open discussions about social media and its positive and negative attributes.
For any further questions regarding teenage social media use, call us today on 0800 140 4690
Social media is here to stay.
Teenagers use it in their millions and are exposed to a variety of online behaviours and content that can lead to mental health issues.
Children might develop low self-esteem, low self-confidence, anxiety, depression, addiction to being online, and communication issues amongst other problems.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for ensuring their teenagers understand the risks of social media and how to protect themselves and their peers.
One of the best ways to approach this is through regular open discussion.
Where worrying mental health issues develop, professional support is advisable.
Help break the pull of social media use by calling our team on 0800 140 4690
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/3780/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7364393/
[5] https://jogamayadevicollege.ac.in/uploads/1586197536.pdf
[6] https://www.researchgate.net/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
