Student Spectrums

As a teenage girl living in the 21st century, social media has a big impact on my life and other teenagers in general. Social media can have an extremely negative effect on mental health. A negative impact is that it can influence low self-esteem, body image, anxiety/depression, and cyberbullying. A positive effect is that it can help one connect with others when struggling with something difficult and can help someone access resources such as news and articles.

Social media can sometimes be misused in a manner that can lead to struggles in a person’s mental health. Dr. Amina Wadud, a Muslim scholar, states that “Social media can be a double-edged sword for Muslims; while it allows for connection and community, the constant comparison to others’ curated lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety, reminding us that true worth comes from our inner character, not external validation.”

Many times the social media world can be frightening. One of the main issues concerning mental health is body image. People can easily be influenced by other people’s bodies and their diets. Social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat often have people comparing themselves to influencers and celebrities. Social media portrays people as being ideally perfect. A study published in the journal Body Image (2016) shows that around 50% of teenage women report that they feel worse about their body image after using social media platforms.

Cyberbullying is also one of the many common issues concerning mental health on social media. Many people, especially teenage girls, experience bullying or harassment which can later lead to depression and anxiety. Approximately 20-30% of teenage women have been bullied or harassed. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has shown data proof that 20-30% of teenage women have been bullied or harassed.

In conclusion, social media is necessary to be balanced in a person’s life. This world is a complex place to navigate. People, especially teenagers, need to learn to fight through the difficulties of our mental health in a world where social media is everything. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the impacts of social media and to seek more efficient ways to engage with the online world.