Unit 2 Portfolio

With 4.3 billion users on social media, it has undeniably impacted our lives, especially those that are a part of our youth. While it offers creative freedom, self-expression, and connectivity, there are ever-growing concerns about its potential impact on mental health. The persuasive nature of social media has profoundly shaped our society, notably among young teens and their developing mental beings. While social media can be a creative outlet or escape from reality for some, its negative impact is vast and must not be undermined when it comes to mitigation and detrimental effects on mental well-being. 

Scrolling through feeds of seemingly perfect lives might seem harmless, but it could have a real downside for teens and young adults. A recent study by Braghieri et al. (2021) investigated the influence of Facebook on a college campus and found a link between increased social media use and adverse mental health outcomes, particularly depression and anxiety symptoms. This is especially concerning for teenagers who are already grappling with social pressures and self-esteem issues. 

Sure, social media can be a great way to connect with friends and stay in the loop, but the constant comparison game and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can be a real drag on mental health.  Imagine trying to focus on that history test when you're worried about how many likes your latest post got! This is where we, students, educators, and anyone who cares about teens need to step in.

It's not about taking away phones entirely--although some digital detox wouldn't hurt--but about helping them develop healthy social media habits. Teaching teens to be critical thinkers about what they see online and setting limits on screen time can make a big difference. Encouraging them to join clubs, sports, or other activities outside the digital world can also help them build solid connections and boost their mood.

By working together, we can create a space where social media is a tool for fun and connection, not a source of stress and anxiety. The study (2022) highlights a critical concern, and by equipping teenagers with critical thinking skills and promoting responsible social media use, we can ensure their education empowers them to navigate the online world confidently. Shouldn't our focus in education be on helping teenagers thrive, not just survive in the dangerous digital and physical world we live in?

The study by Braghieri (2022) delves into the effects of Facebook (and Meta companies) introduction at colleges on student mental health, revealing concerning findings about social media's negative impact on adolescents' well-being. Using data from the National College Health Assessment survey, the researchers found consistent evidence indicating a decline in mental health among college students following the introduction of Facebook on campus. Their analysis, which queried for various factors, showed a significant increase in poor mental health indicators among students after Facebook became available at their colleges.

The study shows that Facebook's adverse effects aren't just limited to its users; even students who don't use the platform can feel its impact through their peers. This shows how widespread social media's influence is and how it can worsen mental health problems for our youth. 

​​The researchers didn't just measure Facebook's impact. They also compared it to other things that affect mental health, like debt and job loss. They used well-known scales like PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to understand the magnitude of the effects. This helps us see how social media fits into the bigger picture of mental health for young people. These findings have implications beyond academia, resonating with broader societal concerns regarding the impact of technology on adolescent mental health. Given the growing prominence of social media platforms in teenagers' lives, it becomes imperative to understand the intricate dynamics between technology usage and mental well-being. 

Today's teens are constantly connected online, using social media to connect and express themselves. But this study shows that spending too much time on social media can lead to feelings of insecurity, comparison, and anxiety. To address these issues, we must take proactive steps to encourage responsible social media use and support teens. Teaching them about the potential downsides of spending too much time online and promoting offline activities can help protect their mental health.

This study by Luca Braghieri sheds light on how social media affects teens' mental well-being. By showing the negative effects of Facebook on college students, it emphasizes the importance of promoting healthy technology habits and supporting teens in today's digital age.

Braghieri, Luca, Ro'ee Levy, and Alexey Makarin. 2022. "Social Media and Mental Health." American Economic Review, 112 (11): 3660-93.

https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/aer.20211218 

I sat down with my friend Sofia. I chose her because she tends to respond authentically to hard-hitting questions, and she has a different perspective than the average member of Gen Z, as she joined social media much later than the majority:

**It may be hard to see because of the black background! Click the white triangle in the middle for the video!**

Revisiting Dr. Jennifer Cross’ feature, What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children’s Brains? I wonder if our society did not adapt so quickly to the dopamine-mining screens we are all addicted to, we would see a difference in the Braghieri study.

Dr. Jennifer F. Cross's study on youth and screen time sheds light on the potential consequences of excessive portable device usage among children. With an increasing number of our youth having access to phones and tablets, concerns regarding their cognitive and social development have escalated. By combining findings from Dr. Cross and Braghieri’s studies, we better understand how technology affects mental health in childhood and adolescence. Dr. Cross's research shows how too much screen time can affect development over time, while Braghieri et al.'s study focuses on how social media affects college students' mental well-being. These findings remind us how crucial it is to encourage healthy technology habits early on to protect our youth and future generation’s mental health and development.

Cross, J. (2023, August 24). What does too much screen time do to kids’ brains? NewYork-Presbyterian. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/  

https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/ 

While social media can be a creative outlet or escape from reality for some, its negative impact is vast and must not be undermined when it comes to mitigation and detrimental effects on mental well-being. Given the widespread negative impact of social media, it's crucial to take action to minimize its harm. This means dealing with issues like cyberbullying, promoting a healthy screen time limit, displaying a realistic beauty standard, or even simply being more authentic online. By acknowledging the downsides to social media and its effects on mental health and what our screens do to our brain development, we can create and aim for a healthier balance with social media and prioritize our overall well-being.