For most teens, social media is a part of daily life. It brings a type of communication and connection, which everyone needs. But does it have too strong a grip in our lives? Since social media has gained popularity, issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and increased loneliness have arisen, among others. Perhaps it’s time to evaluate the effect social media has on our lives and decide what to do about it. 

      The benefits of social media are straightforward. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, or YouTube, each provides an online way of communicating with other people and connecting, no matter where someone lives. It’s a great way to stay in touch with old friends who moved away, or to have a glimpse into the life of a family member living in another state or even another country. These apps also provide a platform to share content, whether it be advocating for a cause or simply expressing creativity. 

       However, in spite of the increased online connection to the people around us, loneliness is more prevalent than ever. Several studies were conducted, and the same results hold true in each: the more time a person spends on social media, the more likely they are to experience depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, and feelings of isolation and loneliness. The recent Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen affirmed this point, exposing studies showing an increase of suicidal thoughts in teenage girls after getting Instagram. 

      In addition, social media influences other psychological problems. Cyberbullying poses a serious threat, especially among teenage users. Lack of adequate sleep, which can lead to increased depression and anxiety, can result from spending time on social media before bed. The blue light from cell phones activates the brain, making it difficult to fall asleep. Feelings of inadequacy and jealousy walk hand in hand with comparison, which in turn can lead to eating disorders. 

      FOMO (or the fear of missing out) is yet another huge dilemma. FOMO can create an obsession to check social media frequently, sucking up time that could be spent in face to face conversation or a more productive activity that promotes brain growth and overall physical health, such as exercising or reading a book. 

      So why do we feel this pull to spend so much time on social media? Aside from FOMO, there are several reasons. First, social media is easily accessible and sends frequent alerts and notifications, appealing to our curiosity. Second, it can trigger chemical reactions in the body in the same way as addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs, or caffeine. This keeps us coming back for more. And third, it’s an easy way to “escape” from difficult circumstances or fight boredom by mindlessly scrolling through posts. It creates a sense of security for us to pick up the phone and begin scrolling through social media instead of facing an awkward social situation. As a result, we’re losing good communication skills like interpreting someone’s expression or body language, or learning healthy coping mechanisms to solve our problems instead of ignoring them. We may also be missing opportunities to deepen a friendship or create a new one. 

      Social media has its benefits, but it has its drawbacks, too. We should begin to find healthy ways to manage the time we spend on social media and address the problems it causes. It’s time to make a choice: are we going to let social media steal from our quality of life, or learn how to use it wisely? We could see many improvements in our mental health, and overall well-being, if we began taking steps to manage social media with prudence.