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Allison Wampler

Dr. Cassel

English 1201

7 July 2019

The Negative Impacts of Social Media on Adolescents

Throughout the years, there have been major technological advancements in many

aspects of life. From three dimensional printing, cloning embryos, to expanding into

achievements of artificial intelligence. These are just a few or many examples of how technology

has been recently impacting society. Now, not everyday are there going to be improvements in

topics like these, and few are going to come directly in contact with them. There is however, a

technological aspect that has been rapidly growing from each year to the next. The source of this

exponential growth comes from social media. Social media is not just one specific origin, but it

extends to include a vast number of apps and platforms. Some platforms include, twitter,

instagram, facebook, snapchat, what’s up, groupme, tumblr, pinterest, reddit, and the list is

unceasing. There have been few instances where at least one of these terms were unrecognizable,

specifically when speaking with adolescents. These platforms have not been available for a large

portion of previous generation’s lives, but they have become apart of the younger generation’s.

Before, children would be found playing outside on days away from school and in the

evenings after homework. There would be participation in games such as tag and hide-n-go-seek.

When there was a disagreement in a rule or outcome, problem solving skills were put into

practice for the game to continue. Also, the development of communication skills would be had

in person with friends and other parents. This type of interaction is not what is witnessed in
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adolescents within today’s society. How children socialize has drastically changed into what is

ironically called social media. The accumulation of different platforms have unique appeals such

as photos, likes, quotes, comments, tags, pins, threads, and other actions. These appeals that

social media contain make adolescents feel like they are staying social with friends. Yet, this

type of sociability does not have positive outcomes and is doing more harm. This increased

usage of social media within adolescents lead to negative consequences such as cyberbullying,

low self-esteem, and depression.

Bullying has constantly been an issue that can be found in all age ranges and grades

within schools. Those that bully, can do this in a multitude of hurtful actions and words that

inflict suffering upon others. Previously, a bully could be seen as having intimidating

characteristics such a being bigger or stronger. These individuals use physical force to instill fear

or even share false information to create pain. When an instance of bullying comes forth to a

teacher or parent, typically the school’s administration gets involved. From this action being

taken, the bully obtains certain consequences from their actions. Usually, other adolescents know

who the bully is and the people they are affecting. The harm is done during school or other

activities where there is close interaction. When the bullied adolescent goes home, there’s a

break from the distress before the next exchange. This scenario of how bullying plays out is

completely manipulated and complicated to include far greater lengths that it can extend because

of social media.

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that takes place on the internet, phone, or other digital

forums (“What Is Cyberbullying”). Most cyberbullying takes place on social apps such as

instagram, snapchat, twitter, and facebook (“What Is Cyberbullying”). This type of behavior
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could include sending or posting negative comments, photos, or content about other individuals

(“What Is Cyberbullying”). Adolescents are more likely to engage in this type of behavior when

being online (Ehmke). The indirect communication has made it easier for children to be cruel

(Ehmke). Dr. Donna Wick, a clinical and developmental psychologist, says that kids are more

likely to send things over text that they would never say to each other in person” (Ehmke).

Reasons for this are explained by adolescents thought processes of how to interact with their

peers. It is an immense task for adolescents to get peer acceptance and keep up with a social

image. An analogy of this viewpoint is for them always being worried about social image just as

much as a running politician (Ehmke). Accounting for this detail, more adolescents are not going

to disagree, argue, or negatively react to the things their peers say in person. Concealing these

true feelings can lead to explosive confrontations online (Ehmke).

Once these confrontations occur, whether it be a text, comment, or post, the information

spreads quickly. Spreading of rumors, gossip, photos, and other deceitful information is a

characteristic of cyberbullying that is unique (Guinta 197). Information that is spread through

individuals face to face may take longer to share or even can be forgotten. Yet, information put

online can be shown to anyone on a certain page or even an entire platform. In most cases,

adolescents being bullied online know the person who is bullying them (Guinta 197). The rest of

the cases of cyberbullying are done by anonymous accounts that hide their identity from the

individual they are bullying. A study was completed that surveyed a group of adolescents on

their experiences with cyberbullying, that found 27% of cases were done by an unknown culprit

(Guinta 197). This factor is another reason that makes cyberbullying unique because it is hard to

monitor activity on these social media sites. These characteristics that social media contains
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leads to an increase in bullying and decrease in the consequences from these actions. The

increase in cyberbullying has resulted in more suicides related to social media conflict (Barnes).

Among cyberbullying, there is another negative consequence that stems from social

media, which is low self-esteem. Self-esteem is the confidence an individual contains about

themselves and what they can accomplish. This concept can be specifically fragile for

adolescents because they are still developing these skills. With this already present delicate

self-esteem, social media only increases the chances it will be low. A study was completed to

show the effects that social media can have on young adolescents self-esteem and happiness

(Guinta 197). There were 1,619 adolescents between the ages of 12 to 19 that reported

technology behavior was associated with lower self worth (Guinta 197).

Almost anything can be found when looking at social media, whether it be photos of a

trip, models, jewelry, cars, or a wide variety of other materialistic objects. A crucial aspect that

can be found in abundance are images of models in specific clothing, brands, places, and other

areas that appeal to young adolescents. The fact that these are images are always shown on social

media, it can lead to body image concerns and the development of low self-esteem (Perloff 364).

Outlets like these contribute to the stereotypes of what cultural body shapes and sizes should

appear to look like (Perloff 364). Adolescents continually witness these stereotypes when on

their social media platforms, and over time develop the idea that this is the norm of society

(Perloff 365). With ideas like this in mind the confidence of many adolescents begin to be

lowered after realizing they do not look this exact way (Perloff 365). Furthermore, another study

was conducted with 467 adolescents, ages 11-17, that looked at the impacts of social media on
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depression and self-esteem (Woods and Scott 47). It was found that social media increased the

risk of low self-esteem within these adolescents (Woods and Scott 47).

Another factor that can result from low self-esteem from social media, is the development

of eating disorders. These type of disorders typically appear in young girls but it still does occur

in young boys as well. Our society has come to an ideal body image of the ultra skinny female

that carries large breasts and bottom (Perloff 366). When adolescent girls scroll through their

feed and see images of this ideal, it can lead them to agonize over the body they desire. This

agony of not feeling good enough, can potentially lead to eating disorders in hopes of obtaining

the same looks. There has been an increase of anorexia positive sites that encourage young

people to eat a specific way and promising a perfect body (Perloff 366). Many of these websites

use a quote by Kate Moss to encourage these disorders by saying, “Nothing tastes as good as

skinny feels” (Perloff 366). It is important to note that this is not just happening in the United

States but there are cultural stereotypes of how bodies should look all over the world. A study

was done with Sri Lakan adolescents that observed the thin-ideal (Omori 1834). It was found that

within this study, most adolescent girls admitted to starving themselves in order to achieve a

certain thinness (Omori 1837). Any stereotype of body image is negative but social media only

amplifies these ideals.

Both cyberbullying and low self esteem tend to lead into a common mental state that is

very concerning for adolescents. These factors, along with others, have the capability to cause

depression among these individuals. Depression can be experienced differently between

individuals and their symptoms can vary. A very broad understanding of depression can be

described as a mood disorder that instills sadness and a loss of interest (Depression (Major
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Depressive Disorder)). Symptoms can include feeling empty, having a hard time being

motivated, uninterested in daily activities, self harm, and even suicide (Depression (Major

Depressive Disorder)). A study was conducted that surveyed 2,967,adolescents, ages 4-17, about

their relationships with family and friends as well as school performance (Healey 9). The survey

concluded that out of this pool of participants, 60 percent showed mild symptoms, 25 percent

showed moderate symptoms, and 15 percent showed severe symptoms (Healey 9). These

findings convey that every participate exhibited at least mild symptoms of depression (Healey 9).

It shows that depression is a very serious issue that adolescents can face with or without social

media. Though when social media is involved it does increase these risks.

Further research has been conducted on this subject because it is a growing concern for

young people. Over the past years, suicide rates have increased dramatically among adolescents

and is the second most common death for youth in the United States (The Role of Online Social

Networking on Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidality in Adolescents: A Systematized Review of

Literature). Simultaneously, social media has been on a rapid incline is the amount it is used and

the content that is posted. This raises questions about the relationship between depression and

social media usage. Another finding is roughly 14 to 21 percent of young people take part in self

harm (The Role of Online Social Networking on Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidality in

Adolescents: A Systematized Review of Literature). Out of those individuals youth who

participate more often online, are more likely to be apart of this group. These actions can be

harmful to any individual no matter age, but adolescents are more likely to have responses like

these because of their social media usage. An important risk factor to mention is the amount of

time that is being spent on these apps as well. When there is a large portion of time being spent
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on social platforms, additional consequences derive. Greater time spent leads to higher

psychological distress, unmet support, and increased suicide idealization (The Role of Online

Social Networking on Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidality in Adolescents: A Systematized

Review of Literature).

More research has been conducted to show other negative consequences that adolescents

are being confronted with. It was found that social media can have an impact in the quality of

sleep youth obtain (Woods and Scott 41). This study looked at the amount of time a group of

adolescents spent on social media and when they were more likely to get on these platforms

(Woods and Scott 45). It was found that greater amounts of time spent on social media were

associated with loss of sleep and low quality (Woods and Scott 45). Also, there showed

correlation between the usage of social media at night and even worse results in sleep quality

(Woods and Scott 45). This type of usage can lead to staying up later at night distracted by what

is online and the result in a shorter amount of time to sleep. There was another risk factor found

which showed higher emotional investment in social media lead to poor sleep quality (Woods

and Scott 45). These individuals who are more invested, are more likely to keep their phones on

when sleeping and be anxious to always answer.

Even though these consequences from social media show negative impact on adolescents,

there can be positives found in the usage. A major deciding factor of what creates these

negativities is the amount of time that is spent on these platforms. One positive outcome of using

social media is a potential for increased well being. A study was conducted that examined 113

college students and their social media usage (Sacco 14). After, they were asked to answer

questions in regards to their mental health (Sacco 14). It was found that some individuals
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experienced positive affect and lower anxiety levels (Sacco 53). This was related to the

connections and relationships these individuals had made online (Sacco 53). Also, social media

can be found having positives in the workforce as well. There are platforms that cater to

employers being able to find applicants for hire on apps such as Linkedin (Eyres). It makes this

task easier for employers to search a wide variety of potential employees (Eyres). Additional

positives of social media within a job setting, includes making it easier to communicate between

individuals(Eyres). Now it is easy to send a text or a quick email to a coworker and be able to

receive fast responses (Eyres).

Naturally, aspects of childhood from generation to generation change and adapt to fit

current norms. Social media is one of these aspects that has maneuvered into the life and

development of youth. When thinking about the things experienced in childhood, some of these

experiences have the potential to completely shift a path in life. There could be positive or

negative outcomes depending on what has occurred. Social media is one thing that can be

experienced and lead to negative consequences. Adolescents have accepted social media into

their culture and it has concluded to harmful behaviors. Cyberbullying is ongoing and becoming

more of an issue within youth. The development of low self-esteem from desires of looking a

certain way or having what others have is having an impact. Finally, all of these different risk

factors that social media carries can lead to depression in adolescents and cause serious harm.

Social media can have its positives, but when it comes to young people, there are more negatives

that outweigh these.

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Works Cited

Barnes, Angela. “The Effects of Social Media on Children.” ​Communication and Social Media,​

June 2012,

sites.ewu.edu/cmst496-stafford/2012/06/06/the-effects-of-social-media-on-children/.

“Depression (Major Depressive Disorder).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical

Education and Research, 3 Feb. 2018,

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007​.

Ehmke, Rachel, and Child Mind Institute. “How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers.” ​Child

Mind Institute​, childmind.org/article/how-using-social-media-affects-teenagers/.

Eyres, Kevin. “Social Media for Social Impact .” ​YouTube​, YouTube ,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKLaOTfsANc. Accessed 3 June 2014.

Guinta, Maggie R. “Social Media and Adolescent Health.” ​Pediatric Nursing​, vol. 44, no. 4, July

2018, pp. 196–201. ​EBSCOhost​,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c9h&AN=131366570&site=eds-live.

Healey, Justin. ​Social Media and Young People​. The Spinney Press, 2017. ​EBSCOhost​,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat01128a&AN=scc.b1861321&site=e

Ds-live.
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Omori, Mika, et al. “Thin-Ideal Internalization and Body Dissatisfaction in Sri Lankan

Adolescents.” ​Journal of Health Psychology​, vol. 22, no. 14, Dec. 2017, p. 1830.

​EBSCOhost​,

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Perloff, Richard. “Social Media Effects on Young Women’s Body Image Concerns: Theoretical

Perspectives and an Agenda for Research.” ​Sex Roles​, vol. 71, no. 11–12, Dec. 2014, pp.

363–377. ​EBSCOhost​, doi:10.1007/s11199-014-0384-6.

Sacco, Garret R. “Social Media and Smartphone Usage in College Students: Associations with

Perceived Relationship Quality, Depressive Cognition, Mood, and Well-Being.”

ProQuest LLC,​ ProQuest LLC, 1 Jan. 2018. ​EBSCOhost,​

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED591186&site=eds-live.

“The Role of Online Social Networking on Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidality in Adolescents:

A Systematized Review of Literature.” ​Indian Journal of Psychiatry,​ vol. 60, no. 4, Oct.

2018, pp. 384–392. ​EBSCOhost​, doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_414_17.

“What Is Cyberbullying.” ​StopBullying​,

www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html​.

Woods, Heather Cleland, and Holly Scott. “#Sleepyteens: Social Media Use in Adolescence Is

Associated with Poor Sleep Quality, Anxiety, Depression and Low Self-Esteem.” ​Journal

of Adolescence​, vol. 51, Aug. 2016, pp. 41–49. ​EBSCOhost,​

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doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.05.008.