Doomscrolling, doomscrolling, and more doomscrolling: it seems like it never ends. One video leads to the next, and before you know it, you’re trapped in a cycle that feels impossible to escape. Endless scrolling can quickly turn into comparison, creating unrealistic expectations as teens begin to question their self-worth.
“People post the best aspects of their lives and no one wants to share the bad parts,” junior Jessica Feng said.
“Using social media frequently can lead to emotional challenges, such as anxiety or depression. These are the most common mental health struggles associated with social media use,” ELHS psychologist Christopher Mountain said.
Moreover, adolescents tend to rely on the number of likes and comments they receive on online platforms to feel
validated. According to The British Journal of Developmental Psychology, a 2024 study found that adolescents would mainly post content that would receive the highest number of likes and comments. The researchers also discovered that teenagers feel pressured to keep up with others on social media. This ultimately leads to teenagers checking their
phones more often, and can even lead to feelings of nomophobia (fear of having no mobile phone). This increased sensitivity explains why teens are highly susceptible to temporary feelings of validation and satisfaction.
Junior Javier Mangual confirms this: “When I see likes on my Instagram post, it does make me feel better at the end of the day.”
Mr. Mountain also mentioned, “It’s common for negative thoughts to be reinforced when teens internalize online feedback to evaluate their self-worth.”
One of the many examples of these comparisons from social media is the pressure of unrealistic body standards. Body dysmorphia, being the most prevalent, is a mental condition where individuals are fixated on their physical appearance. A study published by The Frontiers in Psychology reported that body dysmorphia can stem from distorted online comparisons, reinforcing unhealthy lifestyles such as destructive eating habits and working out excessively.
“I think that recently, being skinny is, in itself, a new trend [again],” Feng added. “I think we’ve gone from an era of body positivity to a trend where outfits are glamorizing being skinny again.”
Furthermore, a study published by The Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review discovered that males and females tend to have different experiences with social media, as women are more likely to be more exposed to content that consists of beauty. This can lead to women feeling anxious and experiencing negative feelings regarding
their appearance.
Madison Gillespie, a current graduate student at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work, explained that women are more prone to be affected by likes and comments, since it gives them the validation they need, regardless of who it’s from.
Gillespie also added that social media impacts body dysmorphia in teens males, but “it’s a lot less talked about” and according to her clinical experience, as men get older “they are a lot better at expressing their feelings.”
ELHS counselor Jaclyn Sullivan stated that getting rid of social media “wouldn’t necessarily fix mental health.” Sullivan emphasized that other factors, such as home life, dynamic relationships, and academic validation, all play a major role in mental health as well. Social media can add to these mental burdens, resulting in escalated emotions and higher feelings of anxiousness.
“Kids live on social media, and I love social media too. But if you’re having these strong feelings of anxiety, depression, or body image, and all you’re seeing are these ideal views, then it can amplify feelings you’re already having,” Ms. Sullivan said.
As social media continues to become more prevalent in teenagers’ lives, it’s crucial to be conscious of the content that you are being exposed to and to keep in mind that online portrayals are often curated to appear “perfect.
For students who are struggling with mental health and are especially active on social media, Mr. Mountain advises to take breaks and to always remember that “you have value as a human being.”
