America’s Adolescents: Gen Z and the Impact of Social Media

By: Kalani Wilson

By Renee Fleck in Process

The negative effects social media has had on teenagers of today are drastic. From body image and self-esteem issues to fake news and a heightened sense of political awareness, gen z is the generation that truly has information at their fingertips.

Whether or not this is a good thing is highly debatable. However, extensive research suggests that the impact of social media is one of the main contributors to the decrease in self-esteem as well as other issues regarding teens at this point.

Social media acts as a reward system in that the constant reassurance that it provides, allows susceptible people to become in a sense, addicted. As a means to seek validation as well as boost self-esteem, people will post simply to receive that feeling. Yet when that feeling is not received, people allow themselves to become addicted to that desire for acceptance. People will tend to compare themselves. Did I get as many likes as them? Why didn’t this person like my post but they liked that one?

This constant search for validation on the internet replaces meaningful connections in real life. Too much social media leads to increased anxiety, depression, and stress, try the following tips to take a social media break:

Disconnect!

• Set time limits

• Deactivate accounts for a set period of time.

• Prioritize yourself and self-care.

• Delete apps completely for prolonged periods of time.

• Start with small breaks.

• Pick up a hobby to fill in the time that you now gained.

Written By: Kalani Wilson

Website: Human Central

Published: 8 May 2021