Ariel's Little World

 

Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Teen Mental Health. 

Abstract

This study explores the impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers aged 16–19, focusing on how platforms like Instagram and Threads influence self-esteem, body image, and emotional well-being. Data were collected through an online questionnaire featuring a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions, distributed via campus communities and social media platforms. The survey received a total of 41 responses, providing valuable insights into the complex relationship between social media use and teen mental health. Results reveal that 68% of respondents frequently compare themselves to others online, with 55% reporting negative body image influenced by social media. Key themes from open-ended responses highlight the pressure to present an idealized self and the tendency to take breaks to relieve stress. Despite its negative effects, some respondents acknowledged social media’s role in promoting connections and support. These findings suggest a complex relationship between social media use and teen mental health, emphasizing the need for strategies to reduce harmful effects while utilizing its benefits. 

I. Introduction

In recent years, social media has become an integral part of adolescents' daily lives, providing them with platforms to connect, share, and express themselves. However, alongside these benefits, concerns have grown about its potential negative effects, including psychological distress, body dissatisfaction and anxiety. This research explores how social media influences teenagers' mental health, particularly focusing on self-esteem, body image, and emotional well-being, based on survey data from 41 participants. According to a 2024 report by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study found that problematic social media use is linked to lower mental and social well-being, including higher levels of anxiety and depression among adolescents (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2024). Several factors contribute to teenagers' use of social media, including the need to stay connected with peers, the fear of being left out, societal pressures, and the emotional challenges they face, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom. As Anderson and Jiang note, "Teens generally believe social media helps deepen friendships" (Anderson & Jiang, 2024), which may be partly driven by boredom and the desire to connect. For adolescents, who are particularly susceptible to social pressures and comparison, these challenges can have long-lasting impacts on their well-being. In recent years, social media has become an integral part of teenagers' lives, reshaping the way they connect, communicate, and perceive the world. While it offers unprecedented opportunities for self-expression and networking, it also brings challenges that deeply affect young users. Despite its widespread use, the psychological impact of social media on teenagers remains a pressing issue. Many young users report feeling pressured to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty and lifestyle, leading to stress and self-doubt, making it increasingly important to understand the root causes and implications of these challenges. This research explores how social media influences teenagers’ mental health, particularly focusing on its effects on body image, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. By highlighting both the risks and potential benefits, this study aims to shed light on the dual nature of social media’s impact and argues that its effects on teenagers’ mental health are both negative and positive, largely depending on usage patterns and individual awareness.

II. Methods

This survey targets teenagers aged 16-19 who use social media. It includes open-ended and closed-ended questions, such as Likert scale items, multiple-choice questions, and yes/no questions. The questionnaire was posted in the campus online community, Instagram story, and Facebook groups. A total of 41 responses were received from people aged between 16 to 19. Among the respondents, 71.4% were aged 18-19, while 28.6% were aged 16-17. The respondents were a mix of both genders, with the majority being female. To analyze the data, closed-ended questions were analyzed quantitatively by calculating percentages or other numerical data, while open-ended responses were examined qualitatively to identify key themes and insights shared by the respondents.

III. Findings

The findings will be presented based on the results of closed-ended questions followed by those of opened-ended responses.

Closed-Ended Question Analysis

Building on the demographic insights, the results reveal some key patterns regarding social media usage and its impact on mental health. The results indicate that 73% of respondents report spending a significant amount of time on social media daily, with platforms like Instagram and Threads being the most commonly used. Many indicated that social media has a negative impact on their body image, and they often experience anxiety due to social comparison. According to survey results, 58% of respondents admitted to frequently comparing themselves to others based on what they see on social media, with this tendency being more pronounced among those engaging with beauty and lifestyle content (Figure 1). Seventy-three percent (73%) of respondents reported that social media has had a moderate to severe impact on their body image, often leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and self-consciousness (Figure 2).

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 (Figure1)

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 (Figure 2)

Open-Ended Question Analysis

These findings align with the quantitative data, further emphasizing how social media usage, particularly on platforms like Instagram, amplifies the pressure to conform to idealized standards and fuels negative self-perception. These responses reveal a major theme: the pressure to present a perfect version of oneself online to avoid judgment. Many respondents felt they had to look a certain way or live a specific lifestyle, especially on platforms like Instagram, due to fear of criticism or comparison. Some expressed feeling insecure about their appearance or that they didn’t measure up after seeing others post their “perfect” lives. Another common theme is the desire to take a break from social media. Several respondents mentioned taking time off from these platforms to reduce stress and escape the constant pressure to keep up. During these breaks, many felt more relaxed, had more personal time, and no longer worried about how they were being perceived. However, a few noted feeling disconnected or even bored without social media. Additionally, Instagram was frequently mentioned as the platform that caused the most pressure. Respondents felt that the idealized images shared on Instagram pushed them to maintain a perfect appearance or an exciting life, which led to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. Many respondents expressed feeling pressure to present a idealized version of themselves online. One participant stated, “I feel like I have to look perfect, especially on Instagram, because that's where everyone compares themselves. It’s hard not to feel like I’m falling short when I see others' ‘perfect’ lives.” Instagram was frequently cited as the platform that caused the most pressure to maintain a perfect image. One respondent commented, “Instagram makes me feel like I have to be living a picture-perfect life. If I don’t have a fancy vacation or perfect makeup, I feel like I’m failing.”

IV. Discussion 

While the survey data highlighted concerning patterns regarding body image and self-esteem, it is important to examine these results within a broader context of social media's influence on mental health. Most respondents reported feeling body image anxiety due to the unrealistic beauty standards showcased on platforms like Instagram. Self-comparison, particularly regarding physical appearance and lifestyle, emerged as a significant source of stress for teenagers. Many participants indicated that they often felt inadequate when comparing themselves to others. Cyberbullying and negative feedback from peers further exacerbated these feelings, supporting the hypothesis that social media puts psychological pressure on adolescent users. However, this perspective should be considered more carefully, as the impact of social media is not entirely negative for all teenagers. As Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, noted, “It’s clear that social media can have both positive and negative consequences on the health and well-being of adolescents.” This perspective acknowledges the more complex relationship between individuals and social media. Although many respondents reported negative effects, such as increased anxiety or a sense of detachment from their real self-image, others pointed to the positive aspects of social media use. Five participants mentioned that social media helped them stay connected with friends, suggesting that social media can provide a sense of belonging and validation. These contrasting responses indicate that the impact of social media on mental health is multifaceted—its effects depend on how individuals use the platforms, the content they engage with, and the emotional support they receive online. Moreover, while many respondents reported feeling negative pressure, some chose to take breaks or delete their social media accounts to reduce anxiety. This proactive approach to social media use reflects adolescents' awareness and control over their emotional well-being. These individuals demonstrated how they can detach from the pressures of social media, challenging the notion that social media's impact on mental health is entirely harmful. This suggests that young people have the ability to self-regulate and reduce the negative effects of social media on their mental health. Some may argue that these positive effects are rare, or that the negative consequences of social media still outweigh the positive ones. While social comparison and cyberbullying are indeed widespread, especially among young users, these experiences should not overshadow the positive role social media can play in fostering connection and emotional support. Additionally, as social media continues to evolve, the teams behind the platforms have started working to create safer spaces for users by enhancing content management and providing mental health resources to improve the user experience. In conclusion, while social media exerts pressure on adolescents' body image and self-esteem, its impact is not entirely negative. The ability to take breaks, connect with like-minded individuals, and consciously curate one's digital expression indicates that young people can actively adjust their usage to reduce anxiety. This study emphasizes the importance of promoting media literacy and advocating for mindful social media use. These measures help balance the negative effects of social media and highlight its positive aspects.

V. Conclusion

This study primarily explores the impact of social media on teenagers' mental health, focusing specifically on how the content on social media platforms affects body image, self-esteem, and emotional stress, while analyzing both its positive and negative effects. The survey results show that most teenagers spend a significant amount of time daily on social media platforms like Instagram and Threads. The idealized content on these platforms leads 68% of respondents to frequently compare their appearance and lifestyle with others, which further triggers anxiety and dissatisfaction. Additionally, 55% of respondents reported that social media negatively affects their body image, making them feel insecure. Responses to open-ended questions revealed two main themes: 1) teenagers feel the need to maintain a "perfect image" to avoid judgment or comparison, especially on Instagram; 2) some respondents chose to temporarily deactivate their social media accounts and reported that this action effectively reduced stress and improved their mood. However, some respondents also highlighted the positive aspects of social media, such as connecting with friends and receiving emotional support. This study underscores the profound impact of social media on teenagers' mental health in today's digital era. While it reinforces appearance standards and encourages lifestyle comparisons, it also provides emotional support and a sense of belonging. To address these challenges, families, technology companies, policymakers, and other stakeholders must collaborate to create a safer, healthier social media environment for young people. The government should also adopt a two-sided strategy to reduce the negative effects: on one hand, promoting digital literacy education to help teenagers recognize the unrealistic nature of social media content and reduce anxiety caused by comparisons; on the other hand, designing more supportive platform features to limit the spread of overly idealized content. Future research could further explore how specific types of content, such as beauty and lifestyle videos, affect mental health and examine the long-term effects of temporarily deactivating social media on stress and well-being.

VI. References

American East Children's Foundation. (n.d.). Social media's concerning effect on teen mental health. The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.aecf.org/blog/social-medias-concerning-effect-on-teen-mental-health

Mayo Clinic. (2024, March 7). Teens and social media use: What parents need to know. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437

Yale Medicine. (2023, September 18). Social media and teen mental health: A parent's guide. Yale Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/social-media-teen-mental-health-a-parents-guide

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. (2024, September 25). Teens, screens, and mental health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health

Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2018, November 28). Teens and their experiences on social media. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/11/28/teens-and-their-experiences-on-social-media/

VII. Appendices

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