You might picture a zombified teen with dark circles under their eyes, scrolling mindlessly through a social media page as the symbol of today’s teen lifestyle. Staying offline can be difficult for any teen as they need to keep up with every trend and stay in the loop of their social circles. In a recent advisory by the U.S. Surgeon General, they highlight that 95% of teens use social media. While the over usage of social media is an ongoing concern, its presence isn’t going away anytime soon.
Social media is a double-edged sword, but it is more likely to be criticized than praised. When used appropriately it is a tool for social connection for many teens. In a Pew Research article (2022), 32% of teens say they have had mostly positive experiences with social media. Connectedness has been reported as the most popular positive outcome. In that same article, a teen mentions their difficulty with making friends in person, but they have a couple of long-term friendships online.
Youth from marginalized communities especially feel a sense of belonging in these platforms. Individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, the BIPOC community, etc. find comfort in connecting with others online who share similar backgrounds and interests. Online spaces intended for specific communities can help individuals learn more about themselves and feel safe to connect with peers with similar experiences as them. The Human Rights Campaign noted that 73% of LGBTQ+ youth reported being more honest online than in real life.
Social media is a window to the outside world and a form of exploration for many adolescents. In the Pew Research article, teens explain that social media is a way for them to learn and access information. Teens use platforms like YouTube to hear the news and to learn new skills. Instagram is another space where one may find accounts that are entirely dedicated to educating about mental health, the environment, world news, and more.
Some youth just appreciate the entertainment value of social media. The enjoyment of scrolling across memes and funny videos can be a way for them to unwind or a form of escapism from what may be going on in their life.
Unfortunately, not everyone’s experience online is positive. There are risks of seeing inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and experiencing feelings of dissatisfaction with oneself. Youth have access to anything and everything online. Videos and posts circulate depicting violence, drug use, and other inappropriate content, that can easily be reposted for more individuals to access.
Youth also have access to everyone’s opinions as well as having the space to create their own. Comments sections for many platforms aren’t always being monitored. This leaves it open to words of disagreement, critiques, and harassment. Spaces full of judgment can lead teens to feel uncomfortable and run the risk of being victims of harassment. 22% of teens that have had mostly negative online experiences, voice being stuck in a chronic cycle of comparing themselves to others.
A question you might have is how can adults and parents best support youth as they navigate the digital world? One’s immediate thought may be to delete all social media apps from their devices or simply get rid of the device altogether, however this is impractical. Social media has become so embedded into their lives that removing it can be like closing them off from a world of friendships and community.
Social media experts – Cyberwise.org – suggest starting conversations about what youth might see on these platforms. Parents can encourage their youth to be intentional about who they choose to follow online. Teens can ask themselves: “How does this person’s content make me feel?”and “Is this account spreading mostly positivity or negativity?”
Staying safe online is paramount. Teaching youth what information not to share and how to report inappropriate content can be a great skill for them to have as they establish their social media presence. Keeping one’s account private can allow teens to choose who gets to follow them and who they get to share with. New privacy features like limits, can restrict unwanted interactions like comments or messages from fake and spam accounts.
It’s important that the adults in youths’ lives communicate the pitfalls and limits of social media, as well as equip them with the necessary tools of how to navigate it. We need to recognize that social media comes with risks, but when youth learn to use this tool responsibly it’s a space for exploration and connection.