Mental health counselors and other professionals encourage social media users to set boundaries such as: … [+]
According to , the majority of American teens (81%) report feeling negative pressure regarding their accomplishments, appearance, and future. investigation Managed by Common Sense Media, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Indiana University.
The study is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 teens aged 13 to 17 between October and November 2023. The study identified six different types of pressure that teens face: game plans, grades, appearance, social life, friendships and behavior. They say they feel pressure to achieve high grades, achieve outstanding grades, and have a certain body type.
These negative pressures were not similar across all different groups of teens. For example, girls and non-binary teens reported feeling more pressure in all six areas surveyed compared to boys. The same results held true for LGBTQ+ teens when compared to cisgender and non-LGBTQ+ teens.
The study highlights a growing mental health crisis in the United States, especially among teenagers, who continue to face major challenges centered around anxiety, stress, and depression. Pressure can come from a variety of sources, including parents, teachers, peers, and individuals themselves. The study also investigated the role of social media in amplifying the various pressure areas investigated.
largely 8 in 10 teenagers Research has reported that social media has increased the pressure to look your best and present yourself in a certain way, at least sometimes. The apps most often cited as contributing to this pressure include Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Testimony from 12 peopleth In the full research report, a 10th grade female student said: It’s all because I compare myself to other people’s achievements. For example, when I see other people posting with their friends on Instagram, I may notice that I don’t hang out with them as much as others. Social media can be used to compare yourself to others, so in that sense it increases my pressure. ”
Social media and its impact on the mental health of teens is a major concern for U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. in him U.S. Surgeon General’s Recommendations on Social Media and Youth Mental Health“Social media can also perpetuate body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparisons, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls,” he writes.
Social media, especially for teens, is ubiquitous in American culture. According to , 90% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 use social media, and teens spend on average nearly nine hours a day online. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Social media use can also contribute to burnout, which is common in adults. More than a quarter (27%) of teens suffer from burnout, according to a national survey of more than 1,500 teens. Although burnout is a minority problem for teens, it should be of interest to all parents, teachers, and counselors, as burnout is accompanied by feelings of cynicism and mental exhaustion, which can exacerbate low morale. This is a worrying issue.
Teens who engaged in self-care activities such as sleep and exercise reported lower levels of burnout. Meanwhile, about 1 in 10 teens (9%) report getting no more than 7 hours of sleep or at least 1 hour of physical activity at all in the past week (13%).
“Rather than adding to the pressure their teens are feeling, parents of teenagers should consider making daily changes to help reduce burnout in young people, such as sleeping, going out, and less structured schedules.” “We have an opportunity to encourage self-care activities,” Director Amanda Lenhart said. Research results at Common Sense Media.
The pressures America’s teens face are real, but it’s up to everyone to deal with them. This is a social responsibility and requires the cooperation of families, schools, communities and legislators. First steps can include increasing mental health education in schools, strengthening peer support programs, setting limits on social media use, encouraging self-care through exercise and sleep, and advocating for accessible mental health services. There is sex.
The future and well-being of our children depends on it.
