Social Media Use
If you go almost anywhere there is a large gathering of teenagers, schools, parks, shopping centers, chances are, you’ll find at least a few on their phone. From the outside this is normal. They could be talking to their friends and family, streaming a movie or show, or playing games, but there is a good chance that they are on social media.
Social media, whether it be Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Whatsapp, X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook or Reddit plays a significant role in the daily lives of many teens. A study done by the Pew Research Center last year in 2024 shows the widespread device and social media use among teenagers.
“Our latest survey shows that large shares of teens have or have access to a smartphone (95%), desktop or laptop computer (88%), gaming console (83%), or tablet computer (70%) at home.”
“Roughly half of teens say they go on Instagram or Snapchat every day, including about one-in-ten who say they’re on each of these platforms almost constantly.”
They found that across Youtube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram, one in three teenagers uses at least one of these sites almost constantly. So many teenagers are on social media apps, but what is happening on these apps that are so widespread? Understanding how teens use social media helps identify where Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can support healthy digital habits and communication.
Benefits of Social Media
Adolescents and teenagers are attracted to social media for numerous reasons. One such reason is learning. Social media can be a treasure trove of information. People can learn how to rebind books, fix a car, build a house, write a resume, plant a garden, or even learn about what is happening in their current political system. On top of gaining knowledge, they can even share their own knowledge, ideas, and their creativity to the world and have their voices heard.
Social media is also a place for teenagers to communicate. Most social media applications have features that allow communication with other users. These features allow users to interact with their friends, family, and communities in a digital forum. Teenagers can interact with people who live in different states or countries, allowing for easy communication.
Negative Effects of Social Media
However, despite these benefits to teenagers on social media, there are also downsides. While teenagers can learn from these apps, they are also at risk of falling prey to misinformation. Despite moderation and fact checking taking place on these apps, they can miss a lot of misinformation that is spread through social media. And now in the age of AI, this misinformation can be easier to believe than ever. You can find AI-created videos of politicians, deepfakes of friends and family, and fake information about topics like climate change, sports, and celebrities. It’s now up to the individual to research what they see online to fact-check for themselves.
Social media use can also lead to teenagers developing mental health problems. Sadly, cyberbullying is still common online. Through commenting, direct messaging, or posting, adults and teenagers use insults and threats against teens. Teenagers who fall victim to cyberbullying report increased anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Additionally, these effects on teens’ mental health can be found even through exclusion by their peers, and conflict and drama started online among friends.
Mixed Messages
Through social media, teenagers can communicate with friends and family, build community, share ideas, and learn about topics of interest. However, teens can also be tricked by what they see on social media and find themselves being hurt by those online. There is a lot of discussion currently about what can be done to keep children and teenagers safe online. Some propose time limits and content restrictions. Other people want them completely removed from the online spheres of social media until they are eighteen. Both parents and governments are stepping in to try to protect and moderate what adolescents see online. But regardless of what is in progress, teens are on these apps now. We are seeing the effects of social media in real time. Research suggests social media may have both positive and negative effects depending on how it is used. This is where SEL comes in.
Social Emotional Learning.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students build skills like self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, communication, and responsible decision-making. These skills support positive relationships, reduce conflict, and help create safe, accepting learning environments for all. Through teenagers and adolescents taught SEL, the internet and specifically social media can be a safer place for all. Students taught SEL will develop an understanding of empathy and responsible decision-making which will lead to a decrease in cases of cyberbullying and to an increase in case of teens growing through social media, stepping in to help bring positivity to spaces they visit online. Teenagers grow through how they learn. If they are learning from negative sources that encourage hate, that is what teenagers will grow up to do through social media. But, if adolescents are taught to spread kindness and acceptance through SEL, social media apps will be more positive and open spaces for all.
References
Atske, Sara, and Sara Atske. “Teens, Social Media and Technology 2024.” Pew Research Center, 12 Dec. 2024, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/12/12/teens-social-media-and-technology-2024.
Khalaf, Abderrahman M, et al. “The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review.” Cureus, vol. 15, no. 8, Aug. 2023, p. e42990. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42990.