Experts warn that social media can contribute to anxiety and lower self-esteem among adolescents. In this blog, we’ll explore factors contributing to these feelings and what parents can do.

Teens today spend hours online, communicating mainly through screens rather than face-to-face interactions. This reliance on digital communication deprives them of social skills and real-time interactions necessary for healthy development. Cyberbullying also thrives on social media and through texting. This can increase feelings of inadequacy and unhealthy comparisons. Being "ghosted" or ignored online can also cause feelings of rejection and insecurity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Social Media Affect Behavior Negatively?

Social media affects behavior negatively by depriving kids of important social cues they would usually learn through in-person communication. This can cause them to be more callous, anxious, and insecure.

How Does Social Media Affect Social Skills?

Social media affects social skills by replacing some of kids’ direct contact with their peers. Teens miss out on things like body language and facial expressions. This can lead to misunderstandings and can make talking in person feel more intimidating. This can cause callousness in communication and high anxiety during in-person conversation.

How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers Mental Health?

Comparison: Seeing idealized images can lead to low self-esteem.
Cyberbullying: Anonymity on social media can lead to cyberbullying online causing emotional distress, anxiety, and depression among victims.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Feeling left out can lead to loneliness and anxiety.
Seeking validation: Relying on likes, text messages, etc. can impact self-esteem.
Body image issues: Filters and pressure to look perfect online can lead to negative self-image.
Reduced face-to-face interaction: Spending too much time online can lead to feelings of isolation.

Is Social Media Harmful?

Social media can be harmful because it encourages constant comparison and limits in-person communication, often leading to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness.

What Can Parents do?

Experts advise parents to lead by example and limit their own screen time, setting boundaries for healthy technology use at home. Creating tech-free zones and designated tech-free hours creates balance in the home. Parents limiting their own screen time helps to strengthen the parent-child bond and makes kids feel more secure. Kids need to know that parents are available to help them with their problems or simply talk about their day. Maintaining open communication is important to address children's needs and concerns, so that they don't turn to the internet for guidance. While monitoring social media is advised, trust and respect for privacy are essential for a healthy parent-child relationship.

Encouraging children to pursue offline interests builds self-esteem. It could be sports, music or volunteering—anything that sparks an interest and gives them confidence. By fostering real-world interactions, parents can help their children develop social skills and improve overall well-being.

Additional Support For Teens & Parents

Excessive social media use can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in teens. If your teenager is experiencing these symptoms, it might be time to have an open conversation with them about their online habits and/or seek additional support. At Tampa Pediatric Psychology, we offer therapy for teens, virtual therapy, and therapy for college students. We also offer parent coaching groups and individual therapy to help parents address their children’s needs. Contact our team of licensed child psychologists in Tampa to get started on your therapeutic journey today.

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