Generation Z has grown up with their phones permanently glued to their hands. Most of these individuals have made social media platforms their second home. Studies show that nearly 40 % of Gen Z in the U.S. spend more than 4 hours a day on social media.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat offer non-stop content across individual feeds. All these endless feeds of celebrity selfies, and friends’ vacations are fun to watch. But lately, there has been a lot of debate regarding social media’s dark side. A lot of young people getting anxious and going into depression, has created a lot of buzz.
This article focuses on how some of the social media features are adding to the stress teenagers are experiencing.
The Dark Influence of Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms flood users, especially the young ones, with unrealistic beauty standards, edited photos, and carefully curated life updates of influencers. When the young generation gets constantly exposed to these posts, they start questioning their appearance. Their perception of reality and achievements changes.
They reach a stage where they need constant validation from their friends and mutuals through likes and comments. This will negatively impact their mental health. It’s estimated that 38% of teens don’t post on social media because it doesn’t match the way they want to present themselves.
On a similar note, platforms like Instagram have created a culture where popularity and appearances are given more importance.
According to TorHoerman Law, 32% of teen girls believe that Instagram made them feel worse about their bodies. You see Gen Z’s getting influenced by the Instagram reels of Influencers rather than building a genuine connection with people. They try to portray their idealized version of their lives and get busy posting stories that vanish in 24 hours.
With a large section of Gen Z using Instagram, its features can potentially cause anxiety and depression. However, the ongoing Instagram lawsuit is a major step towards dealing with mental health issues.
This lawsuit brings attention to issues like curated content and social validation, which can negatively impact emotional well-being. It calls for platforms like Instagram to reevaluate their practices and policies, potentially improving mental health and safety for their users.
The “Perfect Life” Narrative
Social media platforms use algorithms to personalize your experience. This means you will see only the content on your timeline that you want to see. The content is tailored as per your interests and past search behavior. However, there is a problem here.
These algorithms can create a negative feedback loop, where you get information and opinions confirming your beliefs. You’ll then feel mentally bogged down and find it difficult to deal with challenges and different viewpoints. As per the Royal Society for Public Health report, teens who use social media get stressed and spoil their sleep cycle.
Fear of missing out is another factor that will make us fall into deeper traps. You see your friends posting pictures of them having fun at parties and you feel left out. This constant reminder that “everyone else is having more fun” can lead to anxiety, depression, and loneliness, even when surrounded by friends.
Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
There are two ways to look at social media. Firstly, it helps build strong connections among people from different parts of the world. The other way to look at it is people use the platform for the wrong reasons like cyberbullying and online harassment. Recently, BBC News reported that 1 in 6 teenagers report online harassment.
Unlike the bullying that we see in school yards, cyberbullies hide behind their usernames. They spread negativity with a sense of freedom and not getting exposed. This anonymity factor makes them feel safe and they hurt people’s sentiments, insult and threaten them.
The Immediate Consequences
Teenagers are on the receiving end of cyberbullying. Several Gen Z’s have experienced online harassment, from mean comments to social rejection. This constant negativity can harm one’s mental health. Ultimately, cyberbullying leads to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Negativity Amplification
Social media is a place where negativity spreads like wildfire. Because of social media, negative posts and comments can spread fast and reach more people. Victims then feel trapped and cannot escape from the bullying.
The Blurring of Lines
Cyberbullying can be ruthless and relentless. Contrary to traditional bullying, it sticks with you when you’re at home. This makes you feel uneasy and keeps you up at night.
Eventually, you will feel depressed and feel bad about yourself because of the constant negativity.
All in all, social media can be a great platform if you use it for your betterment. However, it is like one of those friends who come with a bit of drama. Hence, understand how these platforms work, gauge the negative consequences that come with them, and use them accordingly.
Most importantly, focus on your friends in real life and your family and try to build meaningful connections. These things will calm you down as a person and help you make wise decisions.
