Social Media Effects

GRACE LARSON | MARCH 7, 2022 | OPINIONS

As social media grows in popularity, its influence on teenagers’ mental health also increases. Social media exposes its consumers to a variety of popular content, which often reflects modern beauty standards. Consequently, these standards are reinforced in viewers’ heads, causing them to compare themselves to people with these favorable features. This behavior can have negative ramifications on mental health, including lessening one’s sense of self-worth and increasing insecurity. This issue is extremely prevalent during the era of technology. Each post is a click away, making this content easily accessible to nearly all of the population, including Stanton College Preparatory School students. The majority of these students have a social media presence which exposes them to harmful, and many times deceptive, visuals worsening many students’ self-images. 

Social media has a great influence on the lives of its consumers, considering its rising popularity and easily accessible content. According to Pew Research Center, out of the 743 teenagers sampled from the United States of America, 95% reported having access to a smartphone. This indicates that most teens are exposed to technology daily. Additionally, Pew Research Center found that 45% of these teens report being online "almost constantly," and another 44% claim that they are online "several times a day." This illustrates the influence social media has on the lives of its consumers. Many find it impossible to take time away from their screens, constantly viewing the collection of posts published on these platforms. These images tend to favor certain physical features, holding them in higher regard. The beauty standards exhibited by such pictures change every few years, making it more difficult for users to match them. They may compare themselves to popular influencers and find that they fall short, evoking a sense of self-hatred in consumers, and inspiring a variety of mental health issues, including negative body image, low self-esteem, and poor confidence. By granting social media control over their lives, viewers are strengthening the harmful emotions associated with it. To combat this, teenagers should understand that they are not alone in this widespread battle against social media.

It is difficult for consumers to view popular posts and not get caught up in social media trends. Everyone strives to follow popular styles and stay up to date with the latest activities their favorite influencers are partaking in. However, by comparing their physical attributes to people with a greater following, consumers begin to view themselves in a more negative light. Some may find that their physical characteristics do not align with the ones commonly shared by celebrities. This creates a problem, as one can easily change their style of clothing, but not their face or body. Soon, users realize that they cannot imitate these latest standards. This spreads a sense of inadequacy, as though they cannot keep up with the most recent style. Instead, one should honor their own beauty, admiring and embracing their natural features. This is not easy, however, and many people struggle to overcome feelings of low self-worth. To put an end to this insecurity, people must first acknowledge the grasp social media has on their lives. 

By accepting that there is no certain way for people to look, consumers begin their journey to overcome the negative repercussions of social media use. There are no guidelines that define beauty as it can be found in many things. When viewers begin to feel poorly about themselves, they can replace these critical thoughts with more uplifting ones. This positive reinforcement will allow them to overcome negative emotions. If users find that this does not work, they should refrain from going on social media. By taking a break from its content, consumers can ensure that they will not strengthen the negative emotions they have associated with it. Both methods can be used to prevent the spread of these devastating emotions. 

Social media’s depictions of the year’s trends and beauty standards have negative implications on the mental health of its consumers. When encountering these problems it is important to note that this struggle is present among a great percentage of adolescents. Together the population can turn away from beauty stereotypes and learn to embrace their uniqueness. Society, as a whole, should accept its variety, honoring individuality. 

Stanton Newspaper