Loneliness, depression, anxiety, and low self esteem are more likely amongst frequent users of social media. And modern teenagers have grown up using social networking sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, Tumblr, and Facebook.
While doctors recommend that we keep our screen time under two hours per day, teenagers spend an astonishing average of seven hours per day on screens, not including schoolwork. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, causing the majority of classes, meetings, and other social interactions to be online. In fact, as a college student with five classes on Zoom, along with my readings and homework being online, it seems impossible to keep my screen time under seven hours a day.
However, what I find to be the most concerning is the obsessive use of social media by teenagers. Like many other teens, I wake up and almost immediately scroll through Instagram. I find myself scrolling during class, on breaks, while I’m eating, and before bed as well. It’s an addiction—literally. Using social networking sites causes our dopamine levels to rise, which is correlated with reward and pleasure, eerily like addictive drugs do.
It’s mind-numbing in the best and worst way possible. Why don’t I simply delete these apps off of my phone, and pick up a book, or go for a walk? I ask myself this often, despite knowing the answer. Scrolling takes no skill, commitment, or concentration. I can lay in bed and scroll, or avoid the awkwardness of waiting in line by scrolling, or scroll when I’m too tired to think. And as someone who struggles with mental health, I already know it doesn’t help at all. I know that in the long run, using social media so often is only causing me to feel worse about myself, while taking hours upon hours of time away that could’ve been spent on activities that would make me significantly happier than scrolling. But, if you’ve ever felt depressed, you’ll understand that when you have little to no motivation to do anything, scrolling on social media can be the one thing that provides you at least a whiff of happiness. Or, if you’re feeling anxious, it can be used to escape from whatever situation you’re in, whether that be an uncomfortable family dinner, or attempting to write the essay that’s due in a few hours.
When I think of some of the happiest moments in my life, they’re the ones on the days that I forget to check my phone. Days that I spent outside with friends, or when I picked up a book if I was bored rather than my phone. I often find myself wishing I was a teenager in the eighties—minus the homophobia, racism, and sexism.
Of course, it’s nuanced. I like the principle of many of these networking sites. On Twitter, I follow people that enjoy the same artists and shows as I do. On Instagram, I like to see pictures of my friends being cute and happy. Occasionally I find myself using a funny filter on Snapchat or sharing pictures of my pets. These things aren’t bad at all. Social media has given me great memes. It’s given me dozens of pictures of my crushes. It’s given me videos that make me cry with laughter; and a way to explore my more particular interests; and awareness and education surrounding various social issues; and inclusive spaces; and several friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It’s brought me a lot of things I am grateful for, but I can’t help but wonder what I would be like without it.
I completely agree with everything you’re saying. We know that going on social media is bad for us, yet we keep scrolling because it takes no effort and results in instant gratification. Covid makes it even worse as we have less and less to do. Thanks for writing about this, it is a good reminder to get off my phone more often and soak in other things that make me happy.
Social media seems like a drug to me. People all know that it is bad for them. We all hear about how it can lead to depression and anxiety yet we just do not seem to care. We just always seem to need another hit. People often say that when it comes to vaping, it is not the nicotine that they are addicted to, it is feeling it always on them and the action of bringing it to their mouth. I feel like it is the same for social media in an odd way. Like you said, it’s the waking up and immediately checking Snapchat and Instagram. It is being able to scroll through quick to make sure that you’re not missing anything. Personally, I know that I need to get off social media more, it is just hard knowing it is right there and only a fingerprint scan away.
Being on my phone is so exhausting but I cannot stop. It’s terrible! Add on all my classes being online as well, it is almost impossible not to be staring at a screen all day. I totally agree when you said that your best days were spent with friends who made you forget about your phone – that’s how its supposed to be. Sadly, a lot of times me and my friends are hanging out but just scrolling on Instagram in the same room. It’s awful but hopefully admitting this is a problem will make us more aware to limit our screentime