The impact of social media on mental health among adolescents and young adults The Rise of Teen Mental Health Crisis The teen mental health crisis is a growing concern with rates of depression anxiety and suicide on the rise According to the National Institute of Mental Health approximately 1 in 5 adolescents in the United States have experienced a mental health disorder in the past year Social Media and Self Esteem One potential factor contributing to this crisis is the rise of social media Studies have shown that social media can have a negative impact on self esteem particularly for girls For example in the video The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health Jean Twenge discusses how the rise of smartphones and social media has coincided with a decline in adolescent well being She notes that it s not an exaggeration to describe iGen as being on the brink of the worst mental health crisis in decades Here s a hand drawn plot illustrating the trend discussed Depression Rate 2010 2011 2012 Social Media s Impact on Teenagers Social media has become an integral part of modern teenage life According to a recent survey 95 of teenagers in the US have access to a smartphone and 45 say they are online almost constantly While social media offers many benefits such as staying connected with friends and family expressing oneself creatively and accessing information and resources it also poses significant risks and challenges for teenagers One of the most significant risks of social media is its impact on mental health Studies have shown that social media use is linked to increased levels of anxiety depression loneliness and sleep disturbances among teenagers For example a study conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK found that Instagram Snapchat and Facebook were the three social media platforms most negatively associated with mental health and well being among teenagers The constant exposure to carefully curated and often idealized images and videos can lead to feelings of inadequacy low self esteem and social comparison all of which can have a detrimental effect on mental health Another risk of social media is cyberbullying According to a report by the Cyberbullying Research Center approximately 37 of teenagers in the US have experienced cyberbullying with social media being the most common platform for such behavior Cyberbullying can take many forms such as harassment stalking impersonation and reputation damage and it can have severe consequences for the mental health and well being of teenagers For example a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that victims of cyberbullying were more likely to suffer from depression anxiety and suicidal thoughts than those who had not experienced cyberbullying However it s not all doom and gloom when it comes to social media and teenagers Social media can also be a powerful tool for social change activism and community building For example social media platforms played a crucial role in mobilizing young people to participate in the Black Lives Matter protests that swept across the US and other parts of the world in 2020 Social media also enables teenagers to build and maintain connections with others who share similar interests identities and experiences which can foster a sense of belonging acceptance and empowerment To mitigate the risks and maximize the benefits of social media for teenagers it s essential to adopt a balanced and responsible approach to its use Parents educators and policymakers can play a critical role in promoting digital literacy and critical thinking skills setting appropriate boundaries and limits and fostering safe and positive online environments For example some schools and organizations have implemented social media policies and guidelines digital citizenship curricula and peer to peer mentoring programs to help teenagers navigate the complex and ever evolving world of social media In conclusion social media has a profound and complex impact on teenagers with both risks and benefits By adopting a balanced and responsible approach to social media use teenagers parents educators and policymakers can work together to promote mental health prevent cyberbullying and harness the power of social media for positive social change Example quote Social media is like being part of a really intense broken family You don t always get along but you love them anyway and you re all you ve got Unknown Example hand drawn plot Insert hand drawn plot here showing the positive and negative impact of social media on teenagers mental health Markdown bold The use of social media is linked to increased levels of anxiety depression and loneliness among teenagers Causes of Increased Sadness and Depression in Teen Girls Teenage years are a time of significant change and growth but for girls this period can also be accompanied by an increased risk of sadness and depression In this chapter we explore some of the causes behind this trend Hormonal Changes One factor that contributes to depression in teen girls is the hormonal changes that occur during puberty As girls mature physically their bodies produce more estrogen and progesterone which can affect their mood and emotional regulation For example in one study researchers found that girls who experienced early puberty were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety than their peers who matured later This may be because the rapid hormonal changes that occur during early puberty can be overwhelming and difficult to manage Another factor that can contribute to depression in teen girls is social pressure Society often places high expectations on girls to conform to certain standards of beauty popularity and success For instance consider the phenomenon of social media depression Teen girls who spend more time on social media may feel pressure to compare themselves to their peers and to present a perfect image online This can lead to feelings of inadequacy low self esteem and even depression Sadly many teen girls also experience trauma and abuse which can contribute to depression According to the National Survey on Children s Exposure to Violence nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls has experienced sexual victimization Victims of trauma and abuse may struggle with feelings of guilt shame and worthlessness They may also develop post traumatic stress disorder PTSD which can increase their risk of depression Finally academic stress can also contribute to depression