It might seem like your teen is enjoying their social media circle, however, social media is ruining teen mental health. Social media has become an integral part of daily life, especially for teenagers. While it has some benefits—connecting friends, providing entertainment, and giving a platform for creativity—there’s a dark side we don’t often talk about. It turns out, social media plays a huge role in ruining mental health.
The impact of social media on mental health is subtle, but it’s damaging, and many parents are unaware of just how deep the effects can run. Here’s what you need to know about how social media may be harming your teen’s mental well-being.
The Constant Comparison Trap
One of the most harmful aspects of social media is the constant comparison game. Teens scroll through endless photos of their peers living {seemingly} perfect lives—wearing the best clothes, going to exotic places, hanging out with tons of friends. It’s no surprise that this creates a sense of inadequacy.
Impact on Mental Health
When teens compare themselves to highly curated versions of reality, they begin to feel like they don’t measure up. This leads to low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, and, in some cases, anxiety and depression. I had a client once, a 14-year-old girl, who stopped enjoying her hobbies because she felt like they weren’t “cool enough” compared to what she saw on Instagram. She had no idea that what she was seeing wasn’t real in that other person’s life either, and that comparison was slowly eating away at her confidence.
What You Can Do
Talk to your teen about the difference between real life that everyone experiences and the polished world they see online. Encourage them to follow accounts that promote positivity, self-acceptance, and real-life authenticity. Help them find joy in their unique experiences instead of feeling the pressure to fit in. Explain to them that each person they compare to is hiding things in their life that aren’t as impressive. Social media is ruining their teen mental health.
Sleep Disruption
Teens are often glued to their phones, even late at night. Between endless scrolling and texting friends, it’s easy to lose track of time. But this habit disrupts sleep, especially when they’re exposed to the blue light emitted by screens. Studies prove time and time again that blue light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep, leading to poor sleep quality.
Impact on Mental Health
When teens don’t get enough sleep, they become irritable, have trouble concentrating, and are more prone to anxiety and depression. One family I worked with came to me because their teenage son was constantly tired and withdrawn. His ADHD was ramped up, but he wasn’t completely out of control, so they were confused.
After some digging, it became clear that his late-night social media use was cutting into his sleep, leaving him too exhausted to cope with everyday stress and he withdrew…
What You Can Do
Set boundaries around screen time, especially before bed. Encourage your teen to put their phone away an hour before bedtime to help their brain wind down. You could even make this a family rule to set a good example. Phones can be “turned in” to parents at a certain time as well to ensure the temptation to get back on the phone is well controlled.
Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
One of the biggest concerns for parents is the potential for cyberbullying. Social media makes it easy for bullies to harass others without face-to-face confrontation, and the anonymity of the internet can lead to more aggressive behavior. Afterall, being mean in person takes far more guts than posting something without having to see the hurt you’ve inflicted.
Impact on Mental Health
Teens who are victims of cyberbullying often experience heightened anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. The worst part? Cyberbullying doesn’t stop when the school day ends. It follows them home, making it feel inescapable. I’ve seen this firsthand with teens who were afraid to open their phones because of the nasty messages or cruel comments waiting for them.
What You Can Do
Encourage open communication with your teen about their online experiences. If they’re being harassed, support them in blocking the bully and reporting the behavior. Be proactive—monitor their social media use and let them know they can come to you if they feel unsafe online. Remember, teens are still developing their prefrontal cortex (until age 25 in fact!) and need the direction of their parents to make wise decisions at times.
The Pressure to Stay “Relevant”
Social media moves fast, and for teens, staying “relevant” is a constant source of stress. They feel pressure to post frequently, stay updated on the latest trends, and get as many likes as possible. This can lead to a vicious cycle of posting and checking for validation. The amount of time it sucks out of the day can be shocking.
Impact on Mental Health
This relentless need to stay relevant can cause anxiety, stress, and a lack of self-worth. One teen I counseled would obsess over how many likes her photos received. She’d refresh and refresh, hoping another like popped up. If a post didn’t get enough attention, it would ruin her day and she would delete it. She was basing her entire self-worth on virtual approval.
What You Can Do
Help your teen understand that social media popularity doesn’t define their value. Encourage them to take breaks from posting and focus on what makes them happy in real life, not just online. Helping them to understand how constant exposure to only the impressive parts of others’ lives isn’t realistic. That social media is ruining their teen mental health when used this way.
Unrealistic Beauty Standards
Teens are bombarded with images of “perfect” bodies on social media. These images are often heavily edited, but teens may not realize that. The pressure to look a certain way can lead to unhealthy body image issues and even disordered eating.
Impact on Mental Health
When teens try to live up to these impossible beauty standards, they can develop negative body image, leading to low self-esteem and unhealthy behaviors. I once worked with a young girl who started skipping meals because she wanted to look like the influencers she followed. It took months of therapy for her to recognize that those images weren’t realistic or healthy.
What You Can Do
Talk to your teen about the reality behind social media images. Explain the use of filters, editing, and even surgery to achieve those looks. There are plenty of Youtube videos or tutorials you can show them as well that demonstrate this distortion. Promote body positivity and self-acceptance in your home.
Addiction to Social Media
Social media is designed to be addictive. The constant notifications, likes, and shares release dopamine, the brain’s “reward” hormone, which keeps users hooked. For teens, this can quickly spiral into an unhealthy obsession.
Impact on Mental Health
Teens addicted to social media often feel anxious and irritable when they’re not connected. They may experience withdrawal symptoms similar to other addictions. I had a teen client who refused to go to a church camp because there was a strict rule of 3 days with no phones. She didn’t realize how dependent she had become on social media for entertainment and distraction.
What You Can Do
Encourage offline activities and hobbies that engage your teen’s mind and body. Whether it’s sports, art, or spending time outdoors, finding interests outside of social media can help break the cycle of dependence.
Erosion of Real-Life Social Skills
One of the less obvious dangers of social media is how it replaces real-life interactions. Teens spend more time chatting online than talking face-to-face, which can erode their social skills.
Impact on Mental Health
Teens who rely too much on social media for communication may struggle in real-life situations, leading to social anxiety or awkwardness. I currently treat young adults in college who still can’t socially interact appropriately and are addicted to much more dangerous things due to their use of social media in their teen years.
What You Can Do
Encourage your teen to spend time with friends in person and foster real-world relationships. Organize family activities where everyone leaves their phones behind to practice being present in the moment.
Take action.
Take proactive steps to prevent social media from ruining your teen’s mental health. Reach out for individual or group services.
✓ connect with teens
✓ comfortable environment
What you can do at home to prevent Social Media from ruining Mental Health
Despite social media’s impact on ruining teen mental health, good information can be found there. There are multiple accounts with frequent posting for parents to follow and utilize that teach good principles and approaches to helping your teen. Some of these accounts include @brookeromneywrites and @scrolling2death.
While social media isn’t all bad, its subtle, negative effects on teens’ mental health are undeniable. From sleep disruption to unrealistic comparisons and social pressure, these platforms can quietly erode your teen’s well-being. By staying aware, setting boundaries, and fostering open communication, you can help your teen navigate the online world without falling victim to its hidden dangers.