Social media versus youth mental health care: what is the impact? | The Canberra Times

From the early days of AOL and MSN Messenger to modern platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, social media has changed the way we use the internet to communicate with friends and family.

We live in a world where we are often just a snippet message away from a viral impact – something that can be a life-changing experience.

Understanding how social media can impact the lives of young people, both positively and negatively, is an essential part of understanding the appeal of these powerful platforms.

For medical professionals, such as those completing online ABSN programs or psychology studies, making a diagnosis is often an important part of treating the symptoms of a condition.

Let’s explore the world of teens and social media – and discover its impact on the teen years and early adulthood of many Americans.

Social media has experienced explosive growth over the past thirty years. It’s hard to believe that Facebook will be 20 years old in 2024. For many parents, it has simply become part of the background of life.

Social media is surprisingly well embedded in many societies around the world. Recent data shows that in January 2024, more than three-fifths of the world’s population used some form of social media platform.

Although platforms such as Facebook and eta’s Instagram remain the social media of choice for many, young people are opting for a completely different approach.

Research from the Pew Research Center has found that significantly more teens are using social media platforms compared to the broader population.

Their Teens, Social Media and Technology report, conducted in 2023, found that nearly 93 percent of teens used at least one social media platform, with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat used by more than 60 percent of teens surveyed. .

Teenagers often visit different places than their parents. After all, a common trait among teenagers is their ability to revert to toddler-like traits and become ashamed of their family.

This is reflected in the data: in a world where their parents choose to use more mature social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, younger people are avoiding them for environments that give them a sense of freedom while also keeping them connected to their friends.

In a world where young people are increasingly connected to others through the humble smartphone, today’s tech-savvy teens are more closely connected to their peers than ever before.

We’re quickly approaching a turning point: Instead of asking a teen if they’ve been on social media, we can simply ask them which platforms they want to use.

Social media can be incredibly useful for many reasons.

Getting involved with a cause you’re passionate about is often just a few clicks away – giving those who are passionate about a topic like climate change, fair working conditions, or any other number of social causes the opportunity to jump online whenever they want .

Overall, social media can be a great way to stay in touch with distant friends or family. As a child, moving can be an unsettling and uncomfortable experience. Social media can help you stay connected to the friends you’ve made, even if you eventually move.

In recent years, social media has proven to be a powerful tool for connecting people.

What the pandemic has shown us is that even in tough times, people will come together to lend a hand – like chefs coming together to feed communities in need at a time when it seemed impossible to keep going, pop stars holding online concerts to connect with their communities, or working to house the homeless in cities like New York.

That said, it is essential to note that while social media is a powerful tool, it can also be misused, with potentially serious consequences.

While it can take a post to go viral, a single post can also create a crisis, whether you’re a major drug company like manufacturer Eli Lilly, or a young person just making videos and having fun on TikTok.

It is well documented that social media abuse can harm the well-being of young people. Social media is full of dream scenarios — maybe it’s a friend’s trip to Disneyland, the purchase of a house, or even a big event like a wedding.

The reality is that social media can often portray an unrealistic standard of the world we live in – and sometimes this can result in feelings of resentment, despair and FOMO (fear of missing out).

Regulators across America are closely watching the actions of social media platforms. In some states, such as Florida, lawmakers are actively implementing laws to restrict access to social media. A ban on TikTok has been under consideration at the federal level for some time.

Social media platforms need to be aware of the impact they can have on young people; how they choose to address these is ultimately critical to the continued success of these platforms.

How can we tackle the challenges of social media with the young people around us? After all, the teenage years can be a difficult time; sometimes it can be difficult to have a conversation.

However, it is important to talk about social media. Having open and honest conversations about the way teens use social media is not only a great way to connect, but it’s also a crucial way to identify if there are any problems.

For example, a young person struggling with smartphone addiction may not necessarily be open to starting a conversation. Instead, parents and trusted adults should remember to be approachable and open.

Another strategy parents can consider is using tools to set limits on device use. With more than a third of teens reporting using at least one social media platform almost constantly, setting usage limits can be a useful circuit breaker.

Finally, it’s good to encourage periodic breaks from social media. Research has shown that taking a step away from social media can help address some of the anxiety that can be caused by social media overuse.

Ultimately, social media can be a powerful tool – and ultimately, both teens and parents need to be aware of the ways in which they can best use these platforms for good.

Remember to stay safe, and if using social media ever starts to feel overwhelming, make sure you speak up because there are strategies that can help.

This information is of a general nature only and should not be considered specific to any particular situation.