Increased social media use leads to negative impacts on teen depression and anxiety

Social Media is an important part in any teen student's life, though at times staying connected can lead to anxiety and depression. Fitting in is magnified through social media, increasing the stress and anxiety of a teen’s social life throughout school.

According to the Anxiety and depression association of America (ADAA), ““When teenagers scroll through their news feed, it's easy for them to think that all of their friends and classmates are perfect, making them feel left out.”

FOMO, or fear of missing out is a common term used today, referring to checking your social media over and over again, in fear you are missing out on something fun your peers are doing, and posting about.

Junior, Jack Larrance, says, “I spend about four hours and 30 minutes on social networking a day, talking to my friends, but also sometimes wondering what they are doing, fearing I am missing out.”Not only does social media increase the pressure to fit in, but makes it easier for kids to stand out. Cyberbullying has become very common as technology has advanced.

The ADAA states, “Without much effort, teens can reveal each other's secrets or spread false information online, and the results can be devastating. In the worst cases of cyberbullying, a teenager's reputation can be destroyed in a matter of hours, and the social fallout can push him or her to commit suicide.”

Posting negative comments and feedback, on something someone shared, or even posting secrets and spreading rumors is easy to do hiding behind a computer or phone screen.

Senior, Nicole Doemling, states, “Often times as I scroll through twitter I see mean comments. It’s such a shame because it is so easy for kids to sit behind a screen and say nasty things. Social media has its pros, but the cyberbullying that it is associated with leads to depression, anxiety, and lack of self confidence.”

Even if you have not noticed it, Social Media affects your day to day life, and future. With technology on the rise and social networking making it easy to connect, face to face conversations have become more challenging for younger generations.

On this issue in teens, the ADAA states, “isolation can prevent them from learning the critical social skills that they will need in life.” With less and less face to face communication, social networking has impeded on important social skills that teens need for the rest of their life.

Freshman, Derek Blum, states, “Social media has hindered my ability to talk to people face to face, only because talking to someone behind a screen is a lot different from one on one.”

Overall, social networking has its pros, connecting people across the globe, and allowing people to stay in touch, however throughout teen developmental years Social media can be damaging leading to FOMO, Cyberbullying, and inhibiting much needed social skills later in life.