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The Influence Of Social Media On Teen Mental Health: What Parents Should Know

Makinde Muyiwa Debowale Fatolu
4 min readAug 29, 2024
Influence of Social Media on Teen Mental Health: What Parent Should Know

Mental health issues among teens have been rising for more than a decade, and some experts wonder how much social media use is to blame. If you’re a parent questioning if — and how — you should monitor the way your teenager uses social media, you’re not alone. Understanding the potential influence social media has on adolescents is a significant step in guiding them towards healthier online habits.

Over the past decade, there’s been a noticeable increase in mental health concerns among teens, with anxiety and depression being the most prominent. Experts have been digging into possible causes, and social media use often pops up as a common factor. The logic here isn’t too hard to follow: social media can sometimes mess with a young person’s self-esteem, body image, and expectations.

When comparing kids who spend a lot of time on social platforms to those who don’t, studies typically reveal that heavy users report more mental health struggles. This isn’t to say social media is all bad news, but it’s clear that the more time teens spend online, the more likely they are to encounter negative experiences. Cyberbullying, anxiety-provoking content, and the pressure to present a ‘perfect’ image can contribute to these issues.

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