Why Social Media May Not Be the Safest Place for Teens

Some people enjoy hiking trails or taking salsa dancing lessons. But for most cohorts, watching stuff on Instagram or TikTok is a favorite pastime. Short, engaging videos on TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram provide instant gratification and keep users engaged.

Amid this innate urge to follow the latest viral trend or watch dancing dogs, safety takes a back seat. Scrolling through social media may be a fun pastime, but the platforms aren’t as safe as you think. It’s a bad place, especially for teens.

Social media took the life of Becca Schmill, daughter of Deb Schmill. She took drugs laced with fentanyl at the age of 18. Fentanyl might have killed her, but social media made it easy for her to get the drug.

That said, we explore why social media may not be the safest place for teens.

#1 A breeding ground for cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a serious problem. The relentless online harassment that Jelly Roll, an American singer and rapper, faced because of his weight caused him to quit social media. If someone as famous as Jelly isn’t safe from cyberbullying, how can your teen be?

A report published by WHO Research has shown that one in six teenagers between the ages of 11 and 15 were bullied online in 2022, highlighting just how widespread cyberbullying is.

Because cyberbullying happens online, some people think it is easier to ignore and less hurtful than bullying in real life. But that is not the case. It is worse than traditional bullying.

Cyberbullying offers bullies anonymity. Because online interactions take place behind the screen, bullies can hide their identity using fake profiles and say things they would never dare say in real life. They bombard teens with threatening messages or hurtful comments.

A study says that younger teens who are bullied online are twice as likely to show symptoms of eating disorders, including eating only low-calorie foods and worrying about weight gain.

#2 Contributor to mental health problems

Open any social media platform, be it Facebook or Instagram, and you’ll see everyone’s best moments. Someone might be vacationing in Dubai, another sharing flawless selfies, and yet another showing off a luxury bag.

These messages may seem harmless, but they create unrealistic standards for teens. Before they even realize it, they start comparing their lives to others. This constant comparison triggers feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. Constantly comparing themselves to others, TorHoerman Law explains, can also undermine teens’ self-confidence and self-esteem.

Meta is facing a slew of lawsuits for harming the mental health of young people. Dozens of states, including New York and Californiahave the Instagram and Facebook lawsuit in a federal court in California.

The lawsuits allege that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, intentionally built features that prey on the vulnerabilities of young users. Those features, the lawsuit further alleges, include “likes” and social comparison features that Meta knows harm young users.

#3 Misleading into risky behavior

Teens seeking new, exciting experiences is nothing new. Trying new things, says the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent, is an essential part of adolescent learning. But this quest isn’t always a good thing. It can mislead them into risky behavior.

A new study has found a link between social media use and risky behaviors among college students. Amrit Kaur Purba, a Ph.D. postdoctoral researcher, and her team found that daily use of platforms like TikTok increases the risk of risky behaviors among college students. That includes drug use and alcohol use.

Celebrities play a major role in normalizing substance use. Cardi B, Drake, and Justin Bieber regularly post photos of themselves drinking and getting high on various social media platforms.

Constant exposure to such content can desensitize them, making risky choices seem more acceptable. They may even feel pressured to join in, afraid of being left out or seen as uncool if they don’t.

#4 Attractive targets for online predators

There is an alarming increase in online predators. Nearly 500,000 online predators are active in the U.S. every day. The FBI reports that more than 50% of victims of online sexual exploitation are children between the ages of 12 and 15.

Teens are attractive targets for online predators because they are often more trusting and vulnerable at this stage of life. They may be more willing to connect with strangers online, especially if the predator presents themselves as someone relatable or understanding.

Predators can lure teens into dangerous situations. 25% of all reported cases of exploitation where an Internet predator asks a child to provide sexually explicit images of themselves.

In general, social media platforms are not inherently bad. They allow teens to explore their interests, express themselves, and connect with like-minded people. But social media use comes with risks.

You need to take proactive steps to mitigate those risks. Set healthy boundaries around social media use. Talk openly with your teen about online safety. Encourage outdoor play to reduce their screen time. All of these will help create a more balanced and safe online experience for teens.