The Impact of Social Media on Teen Social Anxiety: What Families Should Know

in Anxiety / Behavioral Norms / Cyberbullying / Mental Health / Monitoring Media / Online Monitoring / Parenting / Social Anxiety / Social Media / Social Media Abuse / Teen Development / Teen self-esteem / Teen Self-Image / Teens and Technology  by Adolescent Counseling Services 0 comments

Written By: Tracy Kraft, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program

IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD,social media has become a vital tool for teenagers to connect with their peers, share their experiences, and express themselves. While it offers benefits such as social support and online companionship, research increasingly shows that social media can contribute to mental health challenges, and in particular, increased social anxiety. As families navigate questions and concerns around technology use, it is crucial to understand how social media impacts teens with social anxiety, in order to provide effective support.

What is Social Anxiety?

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is an intense and persistent fear of social interactions or situations where one may be closely observed, judged, or negatively evaluated by others. For teens, this often manifests as anxiety surrounding peer interactions at school, during social activities or events, and even online. The wide presence of social media platforms adds complexity to these interactions, providing opportunities for connection and meaning, but also amplifying potential triggers for anxiety.

How Social Media Contributes to Social Anxiety

  • Comparison Culture: Social media thrives on showcasing the best moments of people’s lives, often creating an unrealistic portrayal of reality. Teens, who are at a sensitive developmental stage and are particularly hypersensitive to social feedback and stimuli, may find themselves constantly comparing their lives to others. Chen et al. (2023) found that this type of social comparison, exacerbated by platforms like Instagram and TikTok, can increase teens’ feelings of inadequacy and contribute to higher levels of social anxiety.
  • Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Teens may feel anxious or excluded if they perceive others are having fun without them. Social media amplifies FOMO by providing constant updates on what peers are doing and with whom. Research shows that higher levels of social media use were linked to increased FOMO, which led to heightened anxiety in teens.
  • Cyberbullying: Teens who experience online harassment or cyberbullying are also at a higher risk of developing social anxiety. Teens who endure bullying or negative interactions online tend to withdraw from real-life social situations, compounding their social anxiety and negatively impacting their self-esteem.
  • Pressure to Maintain a Perfect or Idealized Persona: Many teens feel the need to present a curated and perfect version of themselves online. This pressure to maintain an idealized persona can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing. The constant pursuit of validation through likes and comments on social media can leave teens feeling vulnerable and anxious about their self-worth.

Practical Steps for Families

  • Encourage Open Conversations: Start by asking your teen how they feel about social media. Do they feel pressured to post or keep up with their peers? What are the rewards and benefits of social media? What do they believe are the downsides? Tap into their perception of their experience of spending time on social media. How do they feel mentally, emotionally, and physically, during and after use? By fostering an open dialogue, you can create a space where your teen can express their thoughts and feelings about social media without fear of judgment, and engage honestly about their digital life realities and challenges.
  • Show Empathy: Demonstrate empathy and become a partner to your teen. By understanding the unique pressures of social media and its meaning/role in their life, you can develop a deeper and more supportive relationship with your teen.
  • Set Healthy Boundaries: While you don’t need to ban social media entirely, setting limits can be vital for your teen’s functioning and mental health. Encourage and structure breaks from devices, especially during critical periods such as homework or before bedtime. Use built-in controls to set limits and monitor usage and experience. Stay attuned and check-in regularly with your teen to assess whether current limits are beneficial or harmful, and adjust accordingly.
  • Encourage Offline Activities: The American Psychological Association recommends that teens balance screen time with physical and social activities. Encourage your teen to participate in activities that don’t involve social media. Whether it’s joining a sports team, participating in clubs at school, engaging in hobbies, or spending time with family, these real-world interactions foster a sense of belonging and can increase a teen’s confidence, and reduce isolation and anxiety.
  • Model Positive Social Media Behavior: Teens often model the behaviors they see in their closest adults. Be mindful of your own social media use and screen habits. Be honest with your teen about your own struggles and consider setting goals together. Demonstrating proactive, balanced use of social media will set a healthy example for your teen. Small, positive changes over time can make a difference.

Supporting Teens in a Digital World

Understanding the connection between social media and social anxiety is just the first step for families. By fostering an open dialogue, setting healthy boundaries, and modeling positive behavior, you can help your teen navigate the digital world more effectively. If you’re concerned about your teen’s mental health or social anxiety, consider reaching out to ACS or a mental health professional for further guidance.

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References

American Psychological Association. (2023, May 9). Health advisory on social media use in adolescence. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

American Psychological Association. (2024, April 16). Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how social media affects youth. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/youth-social-media-2024

 

Chen, R., Gao, C., Xu, Y., Zou, C., & Chen, J. (2023). Social anxiety in the digital age. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 8(1), 242–248. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/8/20230126

Harvard Graduate School of Education. (n.d.). Teens in a digital world. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/22/08/teens-digital-world

O’Day, E. B., & Heimberg, R. G. (2021). Social media use, social anxiety, and loneliness: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 3, 100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100070

Roberts, J. A., & David, M. E. (2019). The social media party: Fear of missing out (fomo), social media intensity, connection, and well-being. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 36(4), 386–392. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2019.1646517

Warner, C. M., Colognori, D., & Lynch, C. (2018). Helping students overcome social anxiety: Skills for academic and social success (SASS). Guilford Publications.