Teenagers use the internet as stress relievers. A recent study, however, found that social media usage is making teens more stressed.
Being immersed on the internet can be time-consuming because it steals our time that should be dedicated to other things, like exercise and hanging out with our family and friends. Many teenagers are not susceptible to the appeal of internet and social media.
WebMD Sudy On Teenage Stress
A WebMD Teens and Stress Consumer Survey released this month found that 55 percent of parents view their children's stress due to social media use as moderate to high. According to WebMD editor and pediatrician Hansa Bhargava, teenage girls who are 13 to 15 years old are more likely to be stressed out from social media use.
Bhargava said girls feel excluded if they don't get "likes" or notifications on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. There's also a possibility that feeling left out can lead these girls to depression.
57 percent of the parents who participated in the survey have teenage daughters who use social media platforms to de-stress. Only 38 percent of them have teenage sons who do the same.
Teenage Stress Remedies
Experts are working on ways to address American teens' high levels of stress. This includes the Crisis Text Line, a round the clock interventional hotline for teenagers who have weak mental health.
Fixers, a charitable organization in the United Kingdom, is also working on helping young people battle cyberbullying and mental health issues like eating disorders, anxiety and drug use. Using their own personal experiences, young people in Fixers inspire their peers to rise up from the distress that they are in.
More Of Social Media's Dangers
We cannot say that social media is a bad platform; it actually helps us connect with people easily and to be up-to-date with what's happening in other parts of the globe. But like a lot of things, social media also has negative effects on people, especially if it isn't used properly.
Social media use can be addictive. A report from the Berge Facebook Addiction Scale found that 63 percent of Americans visit Facebook each day, while 40 percent access the site several times daily.
Other Risks
A study from Dr. Uri Nitzan, from the Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, also found that Facebook raises the chances of psychosis in people. This is more particular if they just came from a breakup or a tragic loss of a loved one.
Social media use can also trigger lower self-esteem and the need to compete with others, according to a study published on the Wiley Online Library. When you see your friends and acquaintances posting about their success or happiness, it may make your own achievements seem inadequate.
