The Negative Impact Social Media Has On Teen Mental Health

Commentary by Zamora Paire Photo by Priory Group

Social media can have a negative impact on teens. Social Media is now on the rise in the 21st century allowing us to connect with friends and family. As the years have gone by, social media sites have increased their influence on our lives such as Instagram, TikTok and Twitter causing  more attention to the connection it has with our mental health. Social Media can lead to mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, insecurity and addictions. Social media can also affect the way teens behave in schools. I believe that social media can have a negative effect on teens' mental health. It is 2025 and social media have been ruining society in many ways.

Teens who spend over 5 hours per day on their devices are 71% most likely to be at risk for suicide.  Almost 19% of 10 to 15 year olds have experienced at least one type of online bullying. 52% of students say social media makes them feel less confident about how they look or how their life may not seem as interesting. Harmful offensive comments are common in some areas of social media, making it a harsh place for the people on the receiving end. 

Hurtful comments, rumors and lies can have a big impact on the mental health of a teen. Teens can also feel left out by looking on social media and seeing others having fun or maybe feel less of themselves trying to fit in or make themselves look like others.

In my opinion, I believe we can all try to limit our use of social media because that is what leads to teens’ mental health being destroyed. For more information you can go to https://www.priorygroup.com/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.

 Zamora Paire is a freshman at Friendship Collegiate Academy.