Harmful Effects of Social Media on Teens' Mental Health

It can be challenging to understand why your teenager uses social media so much. It might look like they are continuously online and always forget about the life in front of them. We have tried to explain about social media and teens, why it matters to them, and its dangers and advantages.

1) Instant Dangers of Social Media

Here are some of the possible dangers your teenager may be exposed to while using various social media channels. Exposure to offensive, upsetting, or adult-themed content. Of course, no one wants their teenager endangered to adult-themed or pornographic material. Social media’s danger is that your child can be sent to this material by strangers or other trusted sources. There is a risk even if your kid’s social networking sites are accessible only by friends or when their profiles are set private. At least one in four teens get sexually graphic texts and emails.

2) Cyberbullying

59% of US teens have been bullied or attacked online. And 1 in 5 young people has skipped school because they have been victims of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has been connected to teen depression and can even result in increased vulnerability and depression into adulthood. It is essential to indicate that your teen can talk to you if they feel bullied. Also, they should ask themselves, “could this harm someone’s feelings?” before posting something. If it is questionable, they should not post it.

3) Strangers

There are sexual predators, identity thieves, scammers, and hackers who utilize social media to fool innocent users. Your adolescent daughter might be speaking with someone who claims to be of the same age, but in reality, it may be an adult male. It is easier to lie and fake online than it is face-to-face, so your daughter might start trusting the person. Teens must not mention things online that will enable online predators to locate them. Therefore, the child should not mention the things like the name of the city where they live or the school they attend on social media.

4) Sleep Deprivation

1 in 10 teenagers reports using social media overnight between midnight and 6 AM. Long-term usage of social media can lead to sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation and sleep disturbances are directly associated with loneliness and depression during adolescence. A study found that lack of sleep may lead to more frequent online activities like checking social media.