November 10, 2023

Janessa Angela Alerre

10th Grade

George Washington High School

The term “social media” refers to the communication systems where individuals produce, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual groups and networks. The largest social media platforms worldwide include YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. With teenagers having quick access to social media from their mobile devices, it becomes a daily and essential part of their lives. For instance, 95% of all youth between the ages of 13 and 17 have access to social media. Hence, the question arises, “What impact does social media have on adolescents?” First, it’s significant to acknowledge that it has positive and negative aspects on their mental health, views, and communication. Social media has allowed teens to communicate with others across geographic barriers, build awareness, and express themselves. However, it has also allowed teens to be cyberbullied, be exposed to inappropriate content, and develop self-esteem issues.

Communication is vital, for it helps us form connections with people by enabling us to share our experiences and needs. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face communication was restricted, forcing teens to feel isolated and distanced from their friends. 69% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 have expressed that they felt alone amidst the pandemic. Hence, communication among adolescents is crucial for their social development and mental health. 

Social media is a key factor that allows us to communicate with one another through texts or calls without physically being there. Teens use social media to meet people, develop friendships,  and maintain relationships with peers. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds (64%) of teenagers have reported that they use social media to make new friends and strengthen their connections. Further, two-thirds (62%) of teenagers had reported having shared their social media username with a new person so they could keep in touch. Not only does social media allow for new connections to spark, but it has also sustained their current relationships. For instance, more than 9 in 10 teens (94%) had expressed that they spend time with their friends through social media. 30% of teens reported spending time with their friends daily, while 37% expressed that they do so every few days. Thus, proving that communication through the use of social media has enhanced and maintained friendships amongst teenagers. 

Social media gives teenagers the freedom to express themselves however they choose to online and to expand their perspectives. The youth use social media to change the way others perceive them from the stories, narratives, and photos they share. This self-exploration can assist teenagers to explore and discover different aspects of themselves. 1,000 Gen Z’s across the UK were polled to understand how social media fuels their ability to express themselves. Consequently, half had reported that social media was a place where they could truly be themselves, with 58% reporting that online presence makes them comfortable about who they are. Also, social media platforms are proven to be helpful for young individuals who struggle with their sexual identity or those struggling with learning issues.

Furthermore, due to social media’s accessibility, teens are more knowledgeable about information posted online. According to a new 30-Hour Famine Study, conducted online by Harris Interactive, 55% of teens had expressed that social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have made them more conscious of the needs of others. This is a huge increase from the previous study done in 2011, where 44% had expressed that social media makes them more aware. Therefore, as teenagers scroll through these platforms, they can establish a broader and global perspective. 

Despite Social Media’s positive influence, there are also a plethora of downsides to it such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and the development of self-esteem issues. Cyberbullying refers to any activity carried out via electronic or digital media by individuals or groups who continuously spread hostile or violent messages intending to inflict harm or discomfort on others. In 2020, Cyberbullying Research found that 45.5% of students between the ages of 13 and 17 have experienced cyberbullying. According to ResearchGate and ScienceDaily, people suffering from cyberbullying are 1.9 times more likely to commit suicide. 

With teens being online on social media almost every day, they have likely seen inappropriate content roaming around the internet. Inappropriate content includes sexually explicit material, false or misleading information, violence, terrorism, and hateful or offensive material. According to a study from the Journal of Adolescent Health, approximately 1 in 5 youth have experienced unwanted online exposure to sexually explicit material, and 1 in 9 youth have experienced online solicitation. 

Lastly, social media amplifies one’s low self-esteem, for it paints a beautiful picture of other people’s lives. However, many people use social media as a way to display their ‘perfect’ lives with their carefully chosen pictures and filters. This causes people to compare themselves with models, influencers, or their peers as they go through their social media pages. Hence, it causes stress on their daily lives, for they may worry about the number of likes, shares, and comments a post will generate. Social media decreases people’s self-esteem, with girls between the ages of 10 to 14 being the most affected. 

Social media is a gateway for adolescents to maintain, develop, and create new friendships with people. This has been proven especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic, for face-to-face communication was limited. Adolescents are given the freedom of self-expression on social media which has allowed them to easily explore different sides of themselves. It has built awareness amongst teenagers because posts and information on social media can be done with the click of a button. However, being able to easily post on social media is a potential risk of being exposed to inappropriate content, and cyberbullying. It has also allowed teenagers to develop low self-esteem, for pictures posted online hide one’s flaws. Social media’s impact on adolescents is both beneficial and damaging to their lives. Therefore, parents should keep a close eye on the activity that goes on on their page.