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| Social Media Does Not Make Teens Unhappy |
How do you feel when you log into
Facebook? Do you smile and think to yourself that you’re happy to be connecting with your friends, or do you frown and wonder if your friends are happier than you are? If it’s the latter, don’t worry — many teens feel the same way. In fact, according to new research published in
The Journal of Social Psychology, over half of the teens say they spend too much time on social media sites like Facebook and
Twitter. However, this doesn’t mean that social media makes them unhappy — this depends on their age.
The Bad News
Social media is associated with depression. That’s what a recent study published in
the journal Clinical Psychological Science revealed. The researchers discovered that teens who are frequent users of social media such as
Facebook,
Instagram, and
Snapchat feel worse than those who don’t use social media or use it less frequently. However, some news reports about teens and social media focused on just that part of their findings, indicating that social media makes teens unhappy. But does it? It depends on your age...:)
The Good News
The study authors suggest that technology may not be to blame for teens' unhappiness. In fact,
social media seems to play a small role in helping adolescents feel connected and happy with their lives. Perhaps older adults are unhappy because they're just not sure how to use social media well. They may feel like they have nothing important or meaningful to share on
Facebook or
Twitter, as teens do. In some cases, adults perceive social media as a place where they're constantly being judged—for what they wear, what they say, and even how often they post something new on their pages—which can create anxiety and fear of public scrutiny. That's why it's so important for parents to set an example by using social media responsibly themselves.
It May Depend On Their Age
It’s not surprising that teens’
social media use is so closely tied to their level of happiness, but what is notable is how closely linked these two variables are by age. An older teen who spends a lot of time on social media tends to be unhappy, whereas for younger kids—say 12- and 13-year-olds—their level of unhappiness doesn’t appear to rise or fall much with how much time they spend on
Facebook and
Instagram. That suggests there may be something unique about social media use among adolescents
(or at least those in high school) that makes it particularly likely to affect mood. The researchers note that more research needs to be done on why exactly those ages seem immune from any negative effects of social media use. But whatever the reason, it’s good news for parents whose children are entering adolescence: You can let them keep using
Facebook without worrying too much about it making them sadder or lonelier than they already feel.
Digital Natives
The research shows that teens who have grown up with access to social media have very high levels of positive self-esteem and are in general optimistic about their future. Those
who are digital natives feel more confident about their friends, relationships, and academic skills than those who lack these technologies in their everyday lives. This helps them excel at school and creates a deep sense of optimism for both future success and life satisfaction. On top of that, teenagers also use social media to connect with others in fun ways through activities like updating statuses on
Facebook or posting pictures on Instagram. When teens create a well-rounded digital profile, it can help to promote feelings of self-worth and enhance feelings of belonging within one’s peer group.
Third Generation Digital Natives
Are they any more likely to be unhappy than millennials? Who knows. It seems that with each passing generation, teens may simply feel it’s natural for them to develop and adjust to new technologies faster than older generations—technology has become an integrated part of their lives. It’s no wonder that teens are categorized as a third-generation digital native generation. Digital natives not only seem at ease using these types of technology but also have a much higher comfort level using social media sites such as
Facebook,
Twitter,
Pinterest, and
Instagram than their elders do.
The Future of Social Media
It's
Up to
Us: Social media is a primary way of communicating and forming relationships in today's world. However, it can also be a gateway to unrealistic expectations. It's important for parents to pay attention to what their children are doing on social media. You need to understand your child and how they relate to social media if you want them to be happy and stay safe online.
