Technology and Teen Mental Health: Unpacking the Rise in Depression

In recent years, the widespread adoption of smartphones has revolutionized how we communicate, access information, and entertain ourselves. However, this digital transformation has not come without its drawbacks. Recent research has highlighted a concerning correlation between the advent of smartphones and a sharp increase in depression, particularly among teenagers. This trend can be attributed to several key factors, one of them being social media pressure.

Social Media Pressure

One of the most significant contributors to this mental health crisis is the pervasive influence of social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat present users with a constant stream of curated, idealized images and lifestyles. These portrayals often highlight the best moments of people's lives, creating unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness. For teenagers, who are in the critical stages of developing their identities, this can lead to detrimental effects on self-esteem and mental well-being.

The pressure to maintain an appealing online persona, gain likes, and fit into ever-changing trends can be overwhelming. This relentless comparison to seemingly perfect lives fosters feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. Unlike previous generations, today's youth are not just comparing themselves to their immediate peers but to an endless array of influencers and celebrities who often portray unattainable standards.

What can you do? 

• Talk to your teen about what she is watching and how it makes her feel. 

• Try to listen without judgment and encourage your child to share his own ideas of what is problematic about these images. 

• Help her make a list of all the things she value about herself and her own life and remind her that social media is an unrealistic, idealized snapshot of people’s lives and that nobody’s life is perfect. 

• Remind him that these apps are designed to manipulate him and make him keep scrolling so it’s not his fault that he struggles with feeling addicted to his phone.

• Encourage your child to get involved in an activity that makes her feel good. A hobby or activity that both distracts her and takes her away from her device, allows her to build mastery at something, and possibly connects her to other people in the real world are also helpful ways of countering the feelings of inadequacy that come from social media.

In it with you,

Sara