Teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours on social media each day, which means platforms like YouTube and TikTok have a significant impact on their lives. Researchers believe social media has both positive and negative impacts, ranging from the ability to form strong relationships with others to the prevalence of cyberbullying.
It’s important to take a comprehensive look at the effects of social media on students. Large-scale trends can highlight the opportunities and risks that come with using these platforms.
Negative Impacts of Social Media on Students
According to research from Aura, two-thirds of parents say their kids have experienced negative effects from social media. Despite these concerns, 35 percent of parents say their kids were on social media before they turned 7, and 64 percent said their kids were on social media before they turned 10.
Excessive use of social media can increase the chances that kids experience the negative effects of being online. This can have ripple effects on their academic performance and day-to-day life. Here are a few concerns that parents are worried about.
Mental Health
The U.S. Surgeon General recently published a detailed advisory on the effects of social media on adolescent mental health. An estimated 95 percent of children ages 13 to 17 use social media, but researchers are still trying to understand the effects of near-constant online engagement on developing brains.
The Surgeon General reports that adolescents aged 12 to 15 who spend more than three hours on social media each day face “double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes,” which include symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The Surgeon General recommends limiting online time to help adolescents step away from the world of social media. Parents should also be involved in what their kids are looking at. Explicit photos and videos aren’t the only harmful content on the web. Kids could be engaging with material that hurts their body image or self-worth.
Academic Performance
Excessive social media use can distract kids from important activities, including schoolwork and spending time with family, according to the Mayo Clinic. Essentially, some kids spend so much time scrolling and watching videos that they stop doing their homework and give up their favorite hobbies, sports and games.
This can be harmful for kids in younger grades who are learning foundational concepts they will apply throughout their educational careers. Older students can also jeopardize their college futures because of social media addiction.
Teachers with an advanced education can do their part to help students step away from social media. Many accredited schools are preparing educators to address screen addictions. Teachers learn how to impart digital literacy skills that help with research and learning while also teaching students to set boundaries. They balance digital with traditional lesson plans.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying can occur over text, social media, gaming apps and other online forums. It involves hurtful or false messages that are meant to negatively affect the recipient. For example, cyberbullying could involve spreading rumors about a fellow student or sharing sexual or unflattering photos.
Nearly half of teens have experienced cyberbullying of some kind. Bullies often choose digital platforms because they can be anonymous and share hateful information with large audiences. Students who are cyberbullied could be bullied in person at school or feel distressed to the point where it harms their mental health and academic performance.
Fortunately, there are resources educators and parents can turn to. Check your local school for anti-bullying resources and counseling services. StopBullying.gov is also a valuable resource, along with SchoolSafety.gov.
Body Image and Self-Esteem
Social media also has a direct impact on the self-esteem of students. One study found teens and young adults who cut back on social media use by 50 percent saw “a significant improvement in how they felt about both their weight and their overall appearance.”
Social media can be overwhelming because of the sheer number of photos and videos. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others. However, it gets even more toxic with the rise of filters and Photoshop, which give young people unrealistic expectations of how they should look. One report found that 90 percent of young people use filters on Snapchat.
Educators can do their best to promote positive body images by highlighting a diverse range of body types in curriculum materials. Parents can also set good examples by avoiding filters themselves and having open discussions about body acceptance.
Distorted Perceptions of Reality
Social media often creates an unrealistic view of how people live. Few people share their day-to-day lives; instead, they post beautiful vacation photos or extravagant weddings and events. Teens aren’t exempt from these reels and can experience feelings of inadequacy as a result. For example, the rise of promposals can make teens feel left out if they aren’t invited to prom in a dramatic fashion that goes viral.
Researchers have found the fear of missing out (FOMO) can have detrimental effects on mental and emotional health. People feel sad or ashamed because they cannot keep up with online expectations.
Educators can help students avoid the pressure to live like online influencers. They can teach critical thinking to help teens see beyond the posts. They can also create AI lesson plans to show kids how to spot fake or misleading content.
Positive Impacts of Social Media on Students
Despite the significant drawbacks that social media has on the lives of students, online worlds aren’t entirely bad. Parents and educators have noticed a few good things to come from social media that give them hope for the future.
Increasing Diversity and Inclusion
Social media allows teens to connect with others with similar backgrounds and personalities beyond their classrooms and neighborhoods. For example, a teenager in a small town who is neurodivergent or who recently came out as gay can talk with other teens with similar experiences across the country. One study found that 58 percent of teens feel more accepted because of social media, while 67 percent say they have a community they can turn to during difficult times.
Social media also exposes kids and teens to other cultures and perspectives, broadening their horizons.
Enhancing Digital Literacy
Students can also develop digital literacy skills by spending time online. Research shows that kids ages 18 to 29 are more aware of digital topics like online privacy and generative AI. This means they can better navigate the web and avoid potential threats. This research is also reflected in European studies, which show younger adults have higher rates of basic digital skills.
When students have higher rates of digital literacy, they can be more critical of the content they engage with. They can also be smarter about choosing the information they consume and the sources that promote them.
The Role of Educators in Addressing Social Media’s Impact on Students
Many people believe parents are responsible for teaching healthy social media habits in kids, but teachers also play a valuable role. Educators often incorporate social media and other tech-based platforms into their lesson plans, which means they are responsible for ensuring students use these platforms safely. Even teachers who don’t use social media in the classroom can set aside time to discuss issues like cyberbullying and screen addiction, which can directly harm academic performance.
Social media has changed society and teachers aren’t exempt from this evolution. Getting a master’s degree in education from an accredited school can give teachers the tools they need to incorporate social media in the classroom while helping students develop safe habits. Social media is a valuable tool in the right hands, but parents and teachers alike need to know the risks that come with using it.