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Sera Lawrence
English 101-1406
Professor Cawley
20-November-2024
Final, Revised Essay #2
Guiding Adolescents Toward Healthy Social Media Use
In an era where social media shapes virtually every aspect of modern life, its influence
extends across generations, transforming how we communicate, connect, and consume
information. Social media has a large amount of controversy surrounding the effects it has on the
impressionable minds of the youth. Instead of seeing social media as the main problem,
guardians and developers should focus on guiding adolescents in using it responsibly and
addressing underlying mental health issues that might influence their experiences online. Some
argue that social media is to blame for adolescents' mental health issues, but these issues stem
from the lack of consideration from parents as well as app developers for how adolescents,
especially those who struggle with mental health issues, interact with social media. By shifting
focus from banning or blaming social media to supporting healthier usage and mental health
treatment, we can better prepare young people for the digital world.
The assumption that social media alone is responsible for rising mental health issues
among adolescents dumbs down the problem. The article “When Social Media Is Really
Problematic for Adolescents” by Perri Klass dives into the complex relationship between
adolescents with mental health issues and social media. Dr. Michael Rich emphasizes that
problematic social media use often stems from “underlying problems” such as ADHD,
depression, or social anxiety. Addressing these root causes through accessible and effective
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mental health care is essential. For example, Dr. Ana Radovic, an adolescent medicine specialist,
pointed out that “only about a third of teenagers with depression get treatment, and it can take a
long time.” (Klass 98). Closing this gap through school-based programs and increased funding
for mental health professionals could equip adolescents with the tools to cope, making them less
vulnerable to harmful online experiences.
Some argue that social media is inherently harmful due to its addictive design and
potential to promote unrealistic standards. They point to the rise in suicide rates, particularly
among kids as young as 10. “The study, just published in JAMA Psychiatry, showed a suicide
bump among 10- to 19-year-olds (both boys and girls, but a larger increase in girls) at the time of
the release of the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” (Klass 96). This study supports the notion
that even seemingly innocuous media, like well-known Netflix series, can negatively affect
young people who watch it. However, while social media may influence mental health, it is not
the root cause of these issues. As Dr. Rich notes, many adolescents struggling with social media
usage have underlying mental health conditions that need attention (Klass 97). Restricting social
media without addressing these deeper issues would merely treat a symptom rather than the
cause. Instead, we should invest in mental health resources for adolescents and educate them
about healthy social media practices, equipping them to use social apps in a balanced and
mindful way.
By focusing on the negatives of social media, people often overlook its potential as a
tool for fostering connection and emotional support. The solution lies not in attacking social
media but rather in improving how it is used. One practical approach is greater parental
involvement in adolescents' digital lives. Dr. Rich emphasizes the importance of “parenting in
the digital domain” by engaging with children’s online experiences and guiding them to navigate
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the digital world responsibly. Dr. Rich claims, “We have sort of checked out of parenting in the
digital domain and had them do their own thing” (Klass 99) when referring to parental roles in
their children's digital lives. Parents should set clear boundaries for device use, model healthy
online behavior, and foster open communication about social media’s impact. Another solution
involves collaboration between policymakers and tech companies to design safer platforms.
Implementing features that reduce harmful content exposure, such as content moderation
algorithms and tools that encourage mindful usage, can help create healthier online
environments. Instagram has recently added a feature that lets you turn off your like count, which
prevents other users from seeing how many likes you have received on a post. As a young user
of social media myself, this feature proves invaluable as it reduces the psychological impact of
quantified social validation, which can significantly affect one's self-esteem. Additionally,
integrating mental health resources directly into these platforms, such as crisis hotlines or guided
support groups, could provide immediate help to those in need.
Addressing the challenges adolescents face with social media requires a collaborative
effort between parents, developers, and society as a whole. By focusing on mental health support
and promoting responsible social media use, we can shift the narrative from blame to
empowerment. Equipping young people with the tools to thrive in a digital world can have
long-term impactful benefits, not only for their mental health but for society as a whole. As we
navigate this digital era, we must remember that today's adolescents will shape tomorrow's
technological landscape, making it crucial to establish healthy digital habits that will influence
ongoing generations.
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Work Cited
Klass, Perri. “The Problem with Social Media and Teens’ Mental Health.” The New York Times,
3 June 2019.
www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/well/family/social-media-teens-mental-health.html.
