— by maibrahimblog
It would not be far-fetched to say that social media is as essential as basic necessities like water and air—especially for young people, who would likely agree. Today, social media holds the status of near-necessity, particularly among youth. Defined as “interactive technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing, and aggregation of content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) among virtual communities and networks” (Wikipedia, 2024), social media consists of platforms where people from all walks of life can express themselves freely.
With more than 5 billion users worldwide (Abbasi & Hswen, 2024), social media’s reach is vast and continuously expanding. Almost every day, a new social media application or platform emerges, adding to the roster of popular names such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, Snapchat, WeChat, TikTok, and many others. This rapid growth and adoption are clear indicators of social media’s significance in modern life.
The Rising Importance of Social Media in Daily Life
Social media allows users to create, share, and connect over diverse content, giving everyone a voice. Today, over 5 billion people engage with platforms such as:
- Facebook: 2.96 billion users
- YouTube: 2.51 billion users
- WhatsApp: 2 billion users
- Instagram: 2 billion users
For many young people, social media has become an integral part of life, providing a space for connection, creativity, and self-expression.
The Negative Effects of Social Media on Youth
Young people are the primary users of social media applications, especially those that are not work-related. Like most things, social media has pros and cons, raising the question: At what age should children and young adults be allowed to use it?
In response to this dilemma, Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, recently proposed a warning label on social media platforms stating that “social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents.” He reasons that such labels “would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe” (Abbasi & Hswen, 2024).
Psychologists’ empirical research indicates that the human brain’s rational part matures at age 25 or later. “It doesn’t matter how smart teens are or how well they scored on the SAT or ACT. Good judgment isn’t something they can excel in, at least not yet” (URMC, 2024). In essence, youth brains may not be mature enough to ward off potential dangers. Psychologists also emphasize the importance of “sleep” for healthy brain function. Lack of sleep is one of the harmful side effects of social media, along with exposure to inappropriate content, attention problems, feelings of exclusion, and various mental health issues (Ehmke, 2024).
The Mayo Clinic further outlines the impact of social media on children and youth, including “distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives, and peer pressure” (Abbasi & Hswen, 2024).
Benefits of Social Media for Youth Engagement
On the positive side, social media enables “the sharing of ideas and information, including text and visuals, through virtual networks and communities” (Abbasi & Hswen, 2024). Consequently, it is no surprise that social media use is prevalent among young people, with up to 95% of youth ages 13 to 17 regularly engaging with these platforms (Chapman, 2024). Social media seems to provide adolescents with validation, fulfilling certain psychological needs typical of adolescence.
However, not all aspects are beneficial. “Social media is also very good at spreading disinformation, creating polarization, and even causing harmful psychological effects” (Abbasi & Hswen, 2024). Tragically, some young people have lost their lives through suicide as a result of bullying, feeling that they could never measure up to the beauty standards promoted on these platforms (Luxton et al., 2012).
Having recognized these harmful effects, several European countries have implemented measures to protect youth from social media’s detrimental impacts. Other nations are encouraged to follow “the steps of the United Kingdom and the European Union in passing laws that take into account what kids need when they’re interacting with digital products” (Chapman, 2024).
Social media is a double-edged sword for young people, offering both connectivity and challenges. While it can enrich lives, unmonitored usage may expose youth to harm. Protective measures and mindful usage can help mitigate the risks, ensuring that young people enjoy the benefits without compromising their well-being.
References
- Dollarhide, Maya. Social Media: Definition, Importance, Top Websites and Apps. Investopedia, 31 July 2024. Link
- 404, Object. Social media. Wikipedia, October 2024. Link
- Abbasi, Jennifer, Hswen, Yulin. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: To Protect Adolescents, Social Media Needs Warning Labels. Medical News & Perspectives, August 2024. Link
- Chapman, Michelle. Tobacco-like warning label for social media sought by US Surgeon General who asks Congress to act. Associated Press, June 2024. Link
- Ehmke, Rachel. How Social Media Affects Teenagers. Child Mind Institute, October 2024. Link
- Understanding the Teen Brain. University of Rochester Medical Center, 2024. Link
- Luxton, D. David, June, D. Jennifer, Fairall, M. Jonathan. Social Media and Suicide: A Public Health Perspective. National Library of Medicine, May 2012. Link
- Zote, Jacqueline. Social Media Demographics to Inform your 2024 Strategies. Sprout Blog, February 2024. Link