There have been some studies to suggest that spending too much time on social media can be bad for our mental health. But is that true? Turns out, teens don’t feel that way. According to a report from Pew Research, teens are saying platforms like Instagram and TikTok aren’t affecting their mental health.
Teens say TikTok and Instagram are not affecting mental health
What’s interesting is what these teens are saying in the report on how Instagram and TikTok affect their mental health. A lot of people believe that social media can hurt mental health. This is because what we see online is curated. We rarely get to see the unglamorous or ugly side of things, just the pretty side.
This has led some to believe it creates unrealistic expectations, especially among the younger generation. However, the report is suggesting otherwise. Teens claim social media isn’t affecting their mental health. In fact, 60% of teens claim what they see online makes no difference in how they feel about themselves. Going further, 15% of teens on TikTok say what they see makes them feel better. This is versus the 3% that say it makes them feel worse.
That’s actually quite interesting and contrasting to what their parents are saying. The report says that a quarter of parents interviewed believe social media is hurting their teen’s mental health.
It’s not all sunshine and roses
That being said, while teens don’t feel it affects their mental health negatively, there are some side effects of social media. Teens on TikTok are saying that it has a negative impact on their sleep. These teens are also saying it hurts their productivity. Also, let’s not forget that social media can be used for bullying and harassment.
Roughly three-quarters of each app’s users see harassment and bullying as a problem for other people their age. It’s also a little worrying that 30% of users experience at least some form of harassment. This includes being called an offensive name, having rumors spread about them, or being physically threatened.Â
It’s a very interesting report, and while most teens don’t feel it affects them negatively, it doesn’t mean that they should be given free rein. This is why some countries are making it a law that bans teens from social media.
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