Mental Health Matters: Social media’s impact on youth mental health

When I think of technology, I often think of my maternal grandfather, who was born in the first decade of the 1900s.  He was born, raised and lived on the prairie of the central United States.  He had a third-grade education because that was what was available to him as a child. But he was always interested in the newest gadgets and inventions. He was the first person in the county to purchase an automobile and traded them in frequently for the newest and latest models. His farm was also one of the first in the county to operate with electricity. I often wonder what he would think of the technology we live with today.

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of daily life, particularly for younger generations. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are not only avenues for connection and self-expression but also have significant implications for mental health. While social media can foster community, creativity and support, it is increasingly scrutinized for its negative effects on self-esteem, anxiety and overall mental well-being among youth. This week, I want to explore the complex interplay between social media and mental health, highlighting how different platforms affect self-esteem and anxiety levels, especially among teenagers and young adults.

The rise of social media has been exponential, with recent statistics indicating that over 90% of teenagers in the United States use some form of social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become cultural phenomena, deeply embedded in the lives of young individuals. These platforms allow users to connect with peers, express their identity and share their lives through photos, videos and posts; however, these very features that make social media enticing—instant feedback, likes and shares—also contribute to increased anxiety and unattainable standards of beauty and success. With the rapid response times available on social media, almost all of us have lost a bit of patience when things take longer than we expect!

To be fair, social media can have positive effects on mental health. For many young people, these platforms serve as a lifeline, providing a sense of belonging and community. Through online spaces, individuals can connect with others who share similar interests or experiences, fostering supportive relationships that might be difficult to cultivate in their immediate surroundings. We may find common interests with someone halfway around the globe who we would never have had the opportunity to meet were it not for social media. These relationships can alleviate loneliness and isolation.

Moreover, social media can enhance mental health awareness. Many campaigns aimed at destigmatizing mental health issues utilize these platforms to spread awareness, share resources and encourage open discussions. Hashtags like #MentalHealthAwareness and #EndTheStigma enable individuals to find communities that resonate with their struggles and triumphs, offering support and solidarity. I encourage you to look these up to find out what they have to offer!

There are also some things to be watchful about with social media. The impact of social media on self-esteem is profound. Many platforms prioritize visual content, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons. Realistically, users often only offer the very best sides of themselves on social media, when they rarely, if ever, look like the images they post online. Users often curate their feeds to display only the most appealing aspects of their lives, creating an unrealistic standard for beauty and success. This phenomenon is amplified by the prevalence of filters and photo-editing tools, which can distort reality. Most of us live much less glamorous lives than what we and others portray online.

Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to such idealized representations can lead to body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem. As young people scroll through feeds filled with seemingly perfect lives, they may develop feelings of inadequacy, believing they do not measure up to the carefully chosen imagery they encounter daily. The 2020 Social Media and Body Image study found that nearly 60% of adolescents reported feeling pressure to look a certain way on social media, leading to negative body image and self-concept issues. What was already a culturally driven obsession with physical appearance has blossomed into a daily runway fashion show. This is rarely anything most of us can compete with.

Closely related to self-esteem concerns, research has also found social media to be linked to increased anxiety and depression among youth. The instant gratification of likes, comments and shares creates a volatile environment where users may constantly seek validation. This can lead to heightened anxiety, especially when online interactions do not align with expectations.  Since over half of all lifetime cases of mental health issues originate before the age of 14, these influences can exacerbate already heavy social pressures to be, look like and act like something we are not.

Furthermore, the phenomenon of cyberbullying has surged in the social media age, with young users facing harassment and negative comments online. According to a survey by the Cyberbullying Research Center, nearly 37% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 reported being bullied online. The emotional toll of such experiences can exacerbate existing mental health conditions, leading to feelings of isolation and despair. So much of this can occur outside of the awareness of caring adults that our young folk are left to manage unmanageable pressures on their own. Through my practice, I have also worked with adults who have experienced online bullying and stalking, experiences that have almost crushed the recipients’ lives.

FOMO (fear of missing out) is another psychological phenomenon that has gained prominence with the rise of social media. The constant stream of updates about friends’ activities can create a sense of exclusion and anxiety. Young people may feel pressured to participate in social events to avoid missing out, leading to overcommitment and burnout. To be left out of the constant stream of online information can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness and despair.

Research indicates that FOMO can significantly impact mental well-being. A study published in the journal, Computers in Human Behavior, found that individuals with high levels of FOMO experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and impaired self-esteem. The perpetual comparison to others’ seemingly perfect lives can take a toll on mental health and exacerbate feelings of inadequacy. It also reinforces the notion that happiness comes from outside of ourselves, rather than the fact that we are in charge of our own contentment and well-being from within.

Different platforms have their unique implications for mental health, influenced by their characteristics and user base. So, I want to take a moment to just review the major platforms and their purposes.

Instagram

Instagram is widely recognized for its photo-driven content, leading to an emphasis on aesthetics. Users often curate their feeds to present an idealized version of their lives. This hyper-focus on appearance can lead to detrimental effects on self-esteem, particularly among teenagers who may seek validation through likes and comments. Studies have shown that girls, especially vulnerable to these pressures, experience heightened body image concerns when using Instagram. In addition, these forces hit us when we are developmentally vulnerable to images that our own bodies cannot possibly compete with.

Snapchat

Snapchat's fleeting nature encourages users to share spontaneous moments. While this can foster authenticity, it can also lead to the pressure of maintaining a certain image. The platform's features, such as streaks—the continuous sharing of snaps between users—can create anxiety about keeping up with online interactions. Users may feel obligated to engage continuously, leading to fatigue and heightened anxiety levels.

TikTok

TikTok has surged in popularity, offering a unique blend of entertainment and creativity. While it can provide a platform for self-expression, the rapid consumption of viral content can lead to unrealistic comparisons and heightened expectations. Users quickly compare themselves to influencers and peers, which can affect their self-esteem and satisfaction. The platform's algorithm often promotes content that is widely accepted or admired, creating pressure to conform to trending standards. Teens and preteens are especially susceptible to the need to fit in and to conform to trends that do not necessarily represent who they are.

New and more recently developed social media apps include Noplace, a text-based platform for Gen Z, Threads, a text-focused app from Instagram, Ten Ten, which uses walkie-talkie-style voice messages, and Jaget, which focuses on location-based networking. This is only a sampling of the new platforms that have emerged in 2025.

Strategies for healthy social media use

So how can we approach the ever-changing and morphing nature of social media in a way that helps our youth navigate these phenomena? Given the potential negative impacts, it is essential to promote healthy social media habits among young users. Here are several strategies:

1. Encouraging open conversations: Parents and educators should create safe spaces for discussing social media experiences. Dialogues about the realities of online life can help mitigate feelings of inadequacy and open discussions about mental health. Adults can open safe and meaningful conversations with our young people. In fact, we have a responsibility to do so.
2. Curation of positive feeds: Encourage young users to actively curate their feeds by following accounts that promote positivity, mental health awareness and body positivity. Diversifying the content they consume can help reduce negative comparisons. We can also encourage this by demonstrating and modeling through our own use of social media!
3. Setting boundaries: Promote the importance of taking breaks from social media and establishing screen time limits. Mindfulness practices can also help users engage more consciously with their social media habits. In my own family, we work at putting electronics away during meals, and we focus on meaningful conversation to connect with one another on a deeper level.
4. Utilizing mental health resources: Encourage young individuals to seek mental health support when needed. Many organizations provide online resources, hotlines and support groups that can help navigate the complexities of social media and its impact on mental health. NAMI.org is one such example that recognizes the importance of proactivity in response to the pressures of social media.

Social media is here to stay. If not in its current form, certainly in ongoing mutations and presentations. It has already woven itself into the fabric of young people's lives, and its impact on mental health cannot be overlooked. While these platforms offer opportunities for connection and expression, they also pose significant challenges to self-esteem and mental well-being. Understanding the dual nature of social media—both its benefits and drawbacks—is crucial for navigating the complexity of this landscape. We can promote healthy engagement with these platforms and foster open dialogues with each other. As a society responsible for the well-being and health of our young members, we can help mitigate the negative effects and harness the positive potential of social media to support the mental health of future generations.

When the automobile first came out, there were many naysayers and pessimists who predicted the demise of all that was good and decent in the world. My grandpa might be awestruck by the social media we engage with today, but I am also sure he would have been one of the first to dive in and take advantage of what it has to offer us.

Have questions you’d like to ask Shirley? Message her at oasistherapyservices@gmail.com.