Skip to main content

Is social media bad for teens?

Social media is a revolutionary tool that helps people from all over the world and from all walks of life connect and share information. On the darker side, social media can lead to bullying, poor mental health, and idleness. Social media is always changing, so it’s important that we teach teens some ways to protect themselves and stay safe. Let’s talk about social media’s pros and cons – its many effects upon teens, specifically.

Pro: They can stay connected with friends at all times

Teenager using smartphone
Sven Mieke/Unsplash

Social media is a wonderful way for teens to stay in touch with their friends even when they’re out of school. They may just be sharing funny memes or silly viral videos, but during the school year they could be exchanging vital information about school projects.

Additionally, if your family has recently moved away, social media can help your teen adjust to their new home by still talking to their old friends online. With so many different platforms, there are endless ways to connect with friends new and old.

Con: Cyberbullying is common

Online bullying is the top reason why social media is dangerous for teens. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report on social media use among teens and found that more than 15% of high school kids, on average, experienced some type of cyberbullying. The majority of teens visit social media at least once a day and have constant access to these platforms on their smartphones.

Teens who are in the LGBTQ community, teens who may look physically different, and teens who identify as female are more commonly targeted than their peers. Young adults are more prone to take harmful comments seriously, as developing brains and unstable hormones can magnify their emotions.

Pro: Teens have access to endless information

All social media platforms have infinite accounts that focus on interesting and educational content. This ranges from travel accounts to financial literacy tips to daily intellectual discussion posts. Even if your teen is following seemingly random pages and accounts, they might be learning invaluable information that’s not taught in their classroom.

Some tutoring accounts also offer free consultations and questions. So-called influencers in educational fields are more than happy to share their knowledge free of charge.

Con: Social media can encourage idle, unproductive scrolling

Teenager lying down using social media
Dan Kenyon/Getty Images

When your teen is spending copious amounts of time on social media consuming useless content, it could be damaging their productivity. Mindless scrolling not only wastes time, it also affects concentration skills. Social media, at its worst, can impact your teen’s attention span, which translates to their decreased attention span in class and in life. Also, excessive social media time can negatively impact physical health.

Pro: Social media can help them express personalities, feelings, and creative talents

Teenagers looking at a smartphone
Maskot / Getty Images

If your teen is particularly shy in person but shines on social media, this is a great way for them to express their individuality. They may have a creative hobby that they share with the world, like animated videos, cooking tutorials, or typography art.

Social media can also help connect them with people who share the same hobby, which not only broadens their circle but can provide them with a professional network to tap into if they decide to pursue these creative talents.

Con: Social media can contribute to poor mental health

Teenager on couch using laptop computer
Steinar Engeland/Unsplash

Social media can also affect teens’ mental health. This includes self-esteem issues, anxiety, and depression. Teens who spend several hours a day on social media are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and feel more anxious than their peers who spend a minimal amount of time looking at their screen.

This anxiety can stem from poor self-image issues, bullying, loneliness, and the need to be liked. This is particularly common on photo-sharing platforms like Instagram where teens might measure their self-worth by how many likes they get on a photo. Parents should be especially vigilant looking for signs of mental health issues in teens due to social media use.

When used carefully, social media helps teens learn, connect, and blossom. Some important guidelines are limiting your teen’s screen time, helping them monitor their accounts for cyberbullying, and reminding them that social media highlights the best in people’s lives, so they shouldn’t compare themselves to seemingly perfect influencers. We can instill these precautions in teens to help them use social media in the best way possible.

Editors' Recommendations

NewFolks
12 birthday party ideas for 5-year-olds to have at home
Plan a great celebration with this birthday party inspiration
5-year-old girl celebrating her birthday

At-home birthday parties never really went out of style. Many parents opted for venue celebrations for their kiddos because they can be less stressful. Perhaps most parents steer clear of hosting a birthday party for kids at the house because of all the chaos that ensues. Let's not mention the after-party mess that you're responsible for cleaning when all the kids leave.

While there are perks to venue parties, it turns out that throwing a party for your child at home doesn't have to ramp up the anxiety. Birthday parties at home can be a load of fun and be more budget-friendly than a venue party. Home parties are easier to plan and execute than you think, especially for 5-year-olds.

Read more
When can babies eat baby food? This is when to make the switch
How to tell if your baby is ready to start solid food
Baby opens mouth at the sight of food

Many parents find it confusing to know when their baby can start eating baby food. Everyone seems to have an opinion about when babies need to start on solid foods, and that can often mean that parents, especially first-time ones, hear a lot of misinformation and feel pressure to feed their babies baby food before they're ready.

Because every baby is different, there is no exact time when babies should start eating baby food, but there are some guidelines to follow to ensure your little one is ready. Keep reading to answer the question, "When can babies eat baby food?"

Read more
Musical baby names that will make your heart sing
Share your love of all things melodic by giving your child one of these musical names
Baby listening to headphones

If you thought picking out a nursery theme was hard — just wait until you start thinking of what you are going to name your baby. It is one of the most meaningful and personal decisions you'll make for your little one, where some people like to carry on familial traditions, certain parents love a musical baby name, while others like to choose something truly unique. It's not uncommon to have the baby's name selected long before they even become pregnant, with others needing the entire nine months of pregnancy to decide on the perfect name.
People also turn to their personal tastes when it comes to choosing a name, and there is no shortage of inspiration if you go with a musical theme. Music-inspired names are great for anyone looking for a boy, girl, or gender-neutral option because the possibilities are endless. If you're looking for a melodic sound to call your bundle of joy, look no further than these musical baby names that will make your heart sing.

Names that come from musical words
Aria
Aria is the perfect name for any music lover's daughter because it means "song" or "solo melody" in Italian. It typically refers to a musical solo in an opera and has found quite a bit of popularity over the recent years, thanks to characters of the same name in hit shows like Pretty Little Liars and Game of Thrones.
Chord
If you're looking for a more unique name inspired by your love of music, Chord may be just what you're looking for. A chord is a group of notes or sounds strung together. While not a common name, it did become more popular when actor Chord Overstreet joined the cast of Glee.
Harmony
What better name to give a sweet baby girl than Harmony, which means the "musical combination of chords." It's an ideal name for the child of two music lovers. The name derives from the Greek word "Harmonia," the daughter of Ares (the god of war) and Aphrodite (the goddess of love) and was the immortal goddess of harmony and concord.
Lyric
Lyric is a beautiful gender-neutral name for someone who wants to express their love of music through their child's name. Lyric derives from the Greek word lyre which is an ancient stringed instrument. While many feel Lyric is a female name, celebrities like Soleil Moon Frye and Jeremy London both have sons named Lyric. Backstreet Boy singer A.J. McLean has a daughter named Lyric, which seems perfectly fitting.
Melody
Your baby will be as sweet as a song if you name her Melody. The name, which derives from the Green Melodia, means song tune and is a sweet and feminine ode to music and songs. The name has waned in popularity since it peaked in the 1980s, which means it's the perfect choice for someone looking for something a bit more mainstream yet not uber-trendy.
Strummer
If you want something a bit more rock-n-roll for your child, Strummer has the perfect pitch. While it literally means one who strums a stringed instrument, it's a match for an edgier name that still carries a musical tune.

Read more