It’s nothing new that social media has drastically grown its grip on us over the course of these last few years, and in today’s world it seems to be everywhere you turn your head. It’s become one of the most common ways we connect with friends, share experiences, and stay entertained. But while these platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat can be fun and informative, spending too much time on them has real consequences for us, future generations and even the environment.
For many teens, social media feels like a part of daily routine, but its constant presence can negatively affect mental health. One of the most harmful things about it is the way it encourages comparison. When we scroll through perfectly edited photos and videos, it’s easy to feel like we don’t measure up. We might start believing that we need to look or act a certain way to be happy or popular amongst peers, and this pressure can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem – especially in the majority of teens today, who may already be troubled with these feelings beforehand.
Beyond this, social media is designed to be addictive. Apps are built to keep us scrolling and clicking for hours on end, making it hard to stop even when we know we should. This can steal valuable time away from things that truly matter, like schoolwork, hobbies, or spending time with family. Many teens have reported feelings of regret after missing a chance to keep their parents company when they could’ve, as well as a drop in school grades due to the excess time they waste instead of studying. The more time we spend staring at screens, we consequently spend less time building real-life skills, enjoying face-to-face conversations, or experiencing the world around us.
Another big downside is the impact social media can have on our sleep. Many of us spend hours on our phones before bed, which makes it harder to fall asleep. The blue light from our screens tricks our brains into thinking it’s still daytime, making it difficult to rest properly, which can lead to poor concentration, bad moods, and even health issues, and can affect everything from school to relationships. Lack of sleep can also stunt an adolescent’s growth, since sleep is vital for development. A staggering 93% of teens today reveal that they stay up past bedtime due to social media.
Looking ahead, social media overconsumption is not just a problem for today’s teens — it could shape how future generations grow up. Children who see their older siblings or parents constantly on their phones are likely to imitate the same habits. If we don’t start managing our time online, younger kids will grow up thinking it’s normal to spend hours every day scrolling through feeds, which could make these issues worse over time.
There’s also a surprising link between social media use and the environment. The constant demand for connectivity and device recharging require significant amounts of electricity, which has consequences when we consider carbon emissions and natural resource usage. Furthermore, as we upgrade our phones and devices to keep up with social media trends, the social media giants themselves operate massive data centres globally, guzzling up a sizable amount of energy each year. Surprisingly, some platforms have a more substantial carbon footprint than others. Research shows that scrolling on TikTok takes the top spot in terms of carbon emissions, followed closely by Reddit, Pinterest, Instagram, and Snapchat.
In conclusion, while social media can be exciting and beneficial, overusing it comes with tangible outcomes. Our generation is facing mental health challenges, losing treasured time to endless scrolling, and even disrupting our sleep because of it. Future generations may suffer even more if we don’t start setting healthier boundaries with our screens. And on top of that, the environment is also paying the price for our social media habits. It’s important that we become more mindful of how much time we spend online and make efforts to engage more with the real world. By doing so, we can improve our mental well-being, protect our future and encourage a safer planet for all of us.
