Social media makes it easy to connect to the world with just one click or tap.
For older generations, social media is a way of quickly connecting with friends and family. However, some of today’s youth use social media to feel a sense of societal acceptance and achievement.
Studies on social media’s affect on youths’ mental health are ongoing, however, according to Child Mind Institute, research does show a possible connection to self-esteem related issues such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
Sixteen-year-old Olivia Otieno, a social media user since age 11, said she deactivated one of her accounts at the beginning of the year because she felt it emphasized her insecurities and she grew tired of comparing herself to others.
“I feel like I’m the only one who feels like this,” she said. “If you look on social media, there are not a lot of people that have a darker complexion and look like me. If they do, they are either half-naked or ‘thick.’ I feel like I can’t relate so I don’t post.”
According to parentinfo.org, social media can serve as a “catalyst for more insecurity.”
Some teens and young adults gravitate toward social media to find support and friendship. When they strongly cling to small groups through social media, they also tend to become isolated. Once they are closed off, it’s hard to end that isolation.
“If you’re already struggling with insecurities and go to social media, the focus for what you’re going to social media for can be tarnished by comparing yourself to what you see,” Dr. Guykesha Gardner, psychologist and professor, said. “It can create a negative self-construct, depression and anxiety within you.”
From the opposite perspective, there is no research to show social media cannot work in reverse and benefit self-confidence. The cases receiving the most attention are negative, but if there is a focus on the positive, social media can be used as leverage for self-confidence.
Sixteen-year-old Ashley James, social media user since the age 13, said everyone is beautiful in his or her own way and you have to go on social media with a strong, confident mindset. She believes that people her age let their insecurities overwhelm them and feel the need to change themselves.
Teresa Lee, who has worked in education, social services and mental health for 20 years, said she believes social media takes an emotional toll on people.
“Social media can affect your self-esteem,” Lee said. “It is not the place to seek validation. You might have 15 people telling you that you’re beautiful, but you do not internalize that, you will hear the negative more than you will hear the positive.”
Lee also believes society now solves internal issues through social media and has moved away from working out issues in real life.She said the best way to fix internal issues is to get off social media and talk to someone to receive help.
Having a conversation about emotional triggers with a trusted adult is one of the most positive solutions, Gardner said. She said that it is important to understand what your insecurities are.
“Use social media as a positive platform affirming yourself and others,” Gardner said.“Disconnect on certain days to fast and enjoy alone time.”
Contact staff writer Loren Dent at 317-762-7853.
