January 21, 2025
Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director, Alive Center
Social media has become integral to teens’ lives, offering platforms for connection, creativity, and learning. Yet, while it meets some of their needs, it often leaves significant gaps that require attention. Understanding why teens are drawn to social media and addressing what’s missing can help parents, educators, and communities better support their well-being. Welcome to the first blog in our series Scroll Smart: Navigating Teens, Social Media, and Mental Health.
To go deeper and gather real-life information on social media interest and utilization, the Alive Center conducted interviews in 2024 with a select number of youth ages 11 to 18 years. Additionally, the Alive Center Mental Health Board Committee searched the topic, and below is a summary of what we found.
The Pull of Social Media
- Connection and Relationships: Social media provides teens with a way to stay in touch with friends and make new connections, especially in situations where face-to-face interactions are limited. A recent survey revealed that 58% of teens feel more accepted on social media, and 67% see it as a valuable support system during tough times.
- Creativity and Self-Expression: For many teens, social media is a canvas for creativity. From sharing photography to experimenting with video content, it offers a platform to showcase talents and explore identities. Over 70% of teens report that social media helps them express their creativity.
- Entertainment and Fun: Social media offers endless entertainment, from viral trends to humorous content. Teens curate their feeds to focus on uplifting and engaging material, providing a much-needed escape and enjoyment.
- Learning and Discovery: Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are not just for fun—they’re also tools for learning. Nearly half of teens use social media to explore new hobbies, gain skills, and access educational content beyond the classroom.
What’s Missing
Despite these benefits, social media often falls short of fostering deeper, more meaningful aspects of development:
- Face-to-Face Interaction: Heavy reliance on digital communication can hinder teens’ ability to develop crucial social skills like interpreting non-verbal cues and empathetic listening. These skills are essential for building authentic, lasting relationships.
- Security and Privacy: Teens frequently face risks like cyberbullying, online harassment, and exposure to harmful content. Many platforms prioritize engagement over safety, leaving young users vulnerable.
- Happiness and Emotional Well-Being: While social media can be a source of support, excessive use often correlates with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. The pressure to maintain a curated online presence can negatively impact self-esteem.
- Balanced Life and Time Management: The addictive design of social media platforms often disrupts teens’ ability to balance academics, sleep, physical activity, and personal hobbies. This imbalance can ripple into other areas of life, affecting health and performance.
Bridging the Gaps
To ensure that teens thrive both online and offline, it’s vital to address these shortcomings:
- Encourage face-to-face interactions through extracurricular activities and community programs.
- Educate teens about online safety and advocate for stronger platform regulations.
- Promote mindfulness and balance by helping teens set healthy boundaries with their screen time.
- Provide spaces, like the Alive Center, where teens can experience meaningful connections, explore their interests, and build critical life skills.
By understanding both the allure and the limitations of social media, we can better support teens in navigating its complexities. Together, we can empower them to harness its benefits while safeguarding their emotional and mental well-being.
Stay tuned for our blog topic, Decoding the Digital World: Platforms, Users, and Purpose, as a part of Scroll Smart: Navigating Teens, Social Media, and Mental Health.