Research Paper Example: Consequences of Social Media

Humans are willing to conform to ideas and behaviors that are considered socially acceptable. Modern-day social media gives people a platform to express these beliefs and push their definition of acceptable. Social media has been around since the early 2000s and research indicates that almost all teenagers are consuming digital media. More than “95% report owning or having access to a smartphone” and “90% report they are online several times a day” (Riehm). Unfortunately, there are alarming consequences that social media can have on teenagers. Social media platforms often put up a facade that negatively impacts the mental health of teenagers and encourages comparison; yet, there are ways to escape the grasp that excessive social media use holds on teenagers. 

Over time, social media platforms have evolved into places where teenagers no longer feel comfortable being themselves; moreover, they feel the need to alter their lives and appearances. This creates a generation of photo editing resulting in low self-esteem amongst teenage girls specifically; it sets unrealistic standards that are undoubtedly unachievable. Claire Pescott, a researcher at the University of South Wales, studies the behavior of preteens on social media. During her research, she observed a gender difference when it comes to the use of filters. She reports, “All of the boys said, ‘These are really fun. I like to put on these funny ears, I like to share them with my friends and we have a laugh,’” (Ryan-Mosley). On the other hand, the girls solely viewed the AR filters as a tool to alter their appearance. Pescott recalls that the girls said things like “‘I put this filter on because I have flawless skin,’” or that  ‘“it takes away my scars and spots.’” These girls obsessing over filters were only 10 or 11 years old. Her research about how filters impact pre-teens demonstrates how early social media inserts itself into the lives of children, creating unhealthy obsessions with their appearance and prioritizing the need to conform to beauty standards. Particularly in young girls, the filters made them obsess over every minor flaw, blemish, or pimple, hoping to conceal it or mask it. The ability to change your appearance online leads to an impossible perspective of how bodies and faces should look. Moreover, studies have shown a correlation between high use of social media with increasing rates of anxiety amongst teenagers. Krista Crotty is a clinical education specialist who focuses on educating boys and girls on how to consume social media in a healthy way. She states that when people see themselves differently online compared to in person, it increases anxiety levels. When asked to elaborate, she states, “People are putting up information about themselves —whether it’s size, shape, weight, whatever—that isn’t anything like what they actually look like” (Ryan-Mosley). She continues, stating, “In between that authentic self and digital self lives a lot of anxiety, because it’s not who you really are. You don’t look like the photos that have been filtered” (Ryan-Mosley). The increased anxiety is proven to be caused by the lies that are woven within the webs of online social profiles. People are conforming to unrealistic beauty standards; stopping at nothing, even if that means lying about who they truly are or what they really look like. Furthermore, modern-day social media causes teens to be tethered to their devices in fear of isolation; additionally, if they do miss out on these interactions they feel like they have less of a self worth. A study published by Columbia University states that social media, more specifically the fear of missing out, “encourages young people to constantly try to build up their social media profile in some way” (NewYork-Presbyterian). The article goes in-depth saying that this behavior propels teens into situations that “can then put them in an awkward position or lead to bullying” (NewYork-Presbyterian). This fear of not being able to constantly be plugged in is spiraling out of control. Some argue the use of social media is beneficial for teens for long-distance connections with family members or interactions with friends. But how far is too far? Teenagers are prioritizing interactions over their screens, resulting in more “stress” and “isolation,” (NewYork-Presbyterian). The more teenagers are occupied with obsessing about something going on in the world of social media, the less likely they are to be present with those in their real lives. There is so much pressure to feel a connection virtually that teenagers will do anything to fit in. Some teenagers believe that falling behind with interactions that occur on social media will lessen the amount of in-person interactions they get at school. However, this mindset is harmful to the balance of life in the newest generations of young adults. 

Despite the tangible damages social media possesses, the impacts can be controlled. Further research is providing evidence of ways to reduce the harm of social media and help people unplug. Periodically taking a digital “detox” has proven to be beneficial in reducing the negative lasting impacts that social media has. Huffington Post claimed that “detoxification has the benefits on mental wellbeing, social connectivity, professional productivity, and cognitive processes” (El-Khoury). Furthermore, there is a research study from The Libyan journal of medicine that proves this idea. They conducted a trial involving 6,595 U.S adolescents who took the time to digitally detox. In other words, take a break from using any form of social media for a period of time. They found that the people who spent  “more than 3 hours per day” and went through a detox period resulted in less “internalizing” of their problems alone (El-Khoury). Although some may not go as far as detoxing, limiting social media usage has still contributed to an increase in the overall well-being of teenagers. A psychologist who specializes in anxiety and other mental health issues suggested setting “scheduled times for social media use and try not to deviate from the schedule” (Davis, Burnett). Limiting a person's exposure to social media rather than cutting it off completely may cause teenagers to feel less deprived and develop a healthier relationship with consuming media. Furthermore, setting limits for teenagers is essential to lessen the negative impacts of social media. Filtering one’s social media usage to see more positive accounts is proven to be beneficial to teens’ mental health and view towards themselves. What we see on social media indeed impacts us, both positively and negatively. But, when you filter your social media usage, you choose what accounts and what times of media you consume. This ability to choose what you expose yourself to can improve your mental health because you are making a conscious decision to be real with yourself and those around you. Additionally, when you surround yourself with similar people you will find that you will feel included and happier in turn. 

In conclusion, social media platforms represent a false reality that is negatively impacting the mental health of teenagers and encouraging comparison. Yet, there are many ways to prevent these impacts and comparisons from harming one’s overall mental wellbeing. Due to modern day social media giving people a platform to spread toxicity it is imperative to periodically take breaks. Furthermore, it is possible to cultivate a social media feed that spreads positivity and acceptance for everyone. As a society, we mustn't conform to ideas and behaviors just because they are considered socially acceptable. We need to push the boundaries of what is acceptable and be content with ourselves. That is what true growth means.

Works Cited

Davis, Asha, and Erin Burnett. "Parents May Fret, but Teens and Even Experts Say Social Media Use..." USA Today (Online), 23 Mar. 2018. SIRS Issues Researcher, explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2264384402?accountid=3946.

El-Khoury, Joseph et al. "Characteristics of social media 'detoxification' in university students." The Libyan journal of medicine vol. 16,1 (2021): 1846861. doi:10.1080/19932820.2020.1846861

"Is Social Media Threatening Teens' Mental Health and Well-being?" NewYork-Presbyterian, Columbia University, 14 Mar. 2022, healthmatters.nyp.org/is-social-media-threatening-teens-mental-health-and-well-being/. Accessed 20 Apr. 2022.

Riehm, Kira E., et al. Associations between Time Spent Using Social Media and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems among US Youth. JAMA Psychology, 11 Sept. 2019. JAMA Network, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2749480.

Ryan-Mosley, Tate. "Beauty Filters Are Changing the Way Young Girls See Themselves." MIT Technology Review, edited by Ryan-Mosley, www.technologyreview.com/2021/04/02/1021635/beauty-filters-young-girls-augmented-reality-social-media/. Accessed 2 Apr. 2021.