Social media has taken the world by storm. Between Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and TikTok, the outlets for digital social interaction are endless.
This has become the primary means for connection, interaction, and communication for an entire generation. The rates of mental health issues are on the rise amongst the teen population. You may find yourself wondering if the many hours spent scrolling through the apps could be a contributing factor. Here is a look at how scrolling could be affecting your teen.
The Social Media Addiction
For teens and adults alike, scrolling is often viewed as a mindless activity. It’s a way to break up the day. You can pull your phone out any time you’re bored and see what’s happening in your social world.
Unfortunately, scrolling isn’t completely mindless. Depending on the content you see, it can cause your brain to feel happy, resulting in a dopamine boost. In order to achieve that repeated benefit, scrolling becomes a frequent habit.
The Benefits of Social Media
Benefits of social media and the scrolling hobby include:
- Self-Expression: The different media platforms give many opportunities to get creative. Personal content is customizable and can easily convey interests and preferences in unique ways.
- Social Networking: Having platforms of people accessible at your fingertips makes it easy to form support circles. For some teens who struggle socially, online communities can be a bit easier.
Drawbacks of Social Media
- Bullying: Cyberbullying is very common, harder to avoid, and has the chance to occur 24/7.
- Reduced Self-Esteem: The content that is promoted often paints a picture of a false reality. When teens struggle with body image, relationships, or mental health issues, this can contribute to those negatively.
- Deters from Reality: Life is a balancing act. If there’s time being spent on social media, it’s not being spent doing things in the real world.
Scrolling and Attention
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok use an algorithm designed to hold your attention. When you factor in that most teens don’t have the same level of self-control as adults, you end up with an increased likelihood of scrolling.
These platforms are built around quick content and short videos. When scrolling becomes a habit or addiction, over time, it can lead to shortened attention spans.
Scrolling and Sleep
We’ve probably all been guilty of picking up the phone for a quick scroll before bedtime. The blue light that phones emit can also negatively affect the body’s sleep system. Between the late nights and the reduced quality sleep, your teen may struggle with the next day’s activities and moodiness.
Scrolling and the Comparison Factor
As mentioned, there’s a very specific algorithm for social media platforms. Scrolling for extended time can skew this even more.
Online, everyone seems to have the perfect life. Behind the scenes, that may be far from the truth. But your teen doesn’t necessarily know that. When your teen starts to compare themself to others online, whether people they know or people they follow, it can begin to alter their self-esteem and self-worth.
Scrolling and Misinformation
The place where misinformation swirls the most is online via social media platforms. After all, everyone behind the computer can act like an expert or be made to seem like one.
Your teen can become exposed to a plethora of misinformation and negative content. Seeing this can lead to negative outlooks, poor mental health, behavioral changes, and potentially dangerous situations.
Scrolling as a Hobby
Finally, scrolling online for hours can be taking away time from in-person socializing, forming real-life skills, and participating in hobbies that truly interest them. Moreover, it can take away from the very things that should be helping them thrive and boosting their mental health.
Do you feel that your teen is spending too much time scrolling on social media? Therapy can be a great tool for making productive changes. Contact us today to learn more about therapy for teens.
