Does social media stop people from living better lives? The use of social media among teenagers has become increasingly widespread, and with it comes many advantages and disadvantages. Many have found it helpful in getting closer to others and have found that having more social interactions, even online, makes them feel less alone. However, it tends to take time away from activities necessary for proper health. Excessive social media use can put teens at greater risk for mental health conditions and worsen pre-existing symptoms. Furthermore, “sleep rhythms are often totally disrupted by technology dependence” (Rosen). Therefore, teenagers should control what they see and the time they spend on social media to minimize harmful effects on their mental health. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayTeenagers sometimes make unwise choices to get more likes on social media. Social media can influence teenagers to behave differently than they normally would in various aspects of their lives. As unfortunate as it is, teens may feel pressured to change things about themselves to be more desirable on social media. Some of these things include “…altering one’s appearance, engaging in negative behaviors, and taking on risky challenges on social media” (Hurley). When teens feel that their authentic self is inadequate to present themselves publicly, changing things about themselves will not resolve their underlying insecurities. Rather, the constant need to always feel worthy increases their negative self-image. While it may not be obvious, the pleasure of getting “likes” on social media can be highly addictive. According to the New York Times, “the same reward center in the brain, involved in the sensation of pleasure and activated by thoughts of sex, money or ice cream, is also activated when teenagers see their photos receiving many likes on social media.” media". This can cause a toxic cycle that damages one's self-esteem and potentially lead to mental health problems resulting from the newfound stress of not being enough. The constant need to get more and more likes on social media can lead teenagers to make decisions mistakes that would otherwise not have been taken. Minimizing the amount of unrealistic content viewed significantly reduces the negative effects associated with social media use. Influencers often post selectively positive parts of their lives and this can produce the perception of a life that appears flawless. Teens who spend most of their time on social media looking at these carefully curated lives often mistake them for a good standard to strive for. When they start comparing their lives to those of the people they follow, their reality doesn't can be compared to the fantasy spread on social media, “This constant comparison with unrealistic ideals can lead to low self-esteem, insecurity, poor body image and fear of missing out.” These negative effects are often associated with mental health problems, especially in adolescents. For example, teens who see a number of underweight models on their Instagram feed may begin to view them as an ideal, healthy body type. Confronting highly edited images can make them feel self-conscious about their bodies, potentially leading to the development of eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Therefore, be aware of what they choose to follow on social media and how they respondpersonally it is important to promote better mental health. Despite the many negative aspects of social media use, some teens have found community and support through online communication. Community in social media can offer teens a place to feel welcome and accepted. While overused social media can have isolating effects, "...a study conducted by Griffith University and the University of Queensland in Australia found that although American teenagers have fewer friends than their older counterparts, they are less lonely than teenagers in decades past” (Knorr). Having an online support group to turn to could be helpful for many teenagers who have difficulty finding friends in real life. However, social media is not an adequate substitute for 'face-to-face interaction. In Eric Klinenberg's study, “he found that the more people interacted with each other face-to-face, the less lonely they felt. He concluded that the key element of social media is whether these social media make you have more face-to-face interaction or not.” a space where teens can interact, but ultimately it's about authentic, in-person interactions to quell loneliness. While social media can provide a virtual sense of social activity, teens tend to replace their valuable in-person interactions with surface-level online connections. Social media causes problems in the lives of teenagers by interrupting normal activities essential to a healthy lifestyle. The more time teens spend on social media, the more time tends to be taken away from daily needs, such as sleep, exercise and face-to-face interaction. In reality, “it is not necessarily social media that causes these problems, but more likely the content that young people are exposed to and its impediment to healthy sleep and exercise.” This lack of “healthy sleep and exercise” can cause or further worsen mental health conditions, as well as harm physical health. Sleep in particular heavily affects mental conditions and “sleep problems can increase the risk of developing particular mental illnesses, as well as resulting from such disorders”. Overall, the healthy lifestyle habits that social media takes from teenagers make them more susceptible to negative mental health effects. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay For teens, limiting their exposure to harmful content and ensuring that social media doesn't take away from necessary activities are essential to good mental health. Constantly viewing unrealistic content leads to a negative self-image, and eliminating it from their daily lives will improve their overall happiness. Social media also tends to take time away from everyday life, and many teens end up trading important parts of their day for more time spent on their devices. They may also feel the need to change themselves to be more popular on social platforms, which can potentially damage their self-esteem and therefore their mental health. Controlling social media use helps teens maintain good mental health and make time for what's truly important in their lives. Works Cited “Are Instagram and Other Social Media Bad for Your Teens' Mental Health?” Abington-Jefferson Health, www.abingtonhealth.org/healthy-living/health-news/library/articles-related-to-general-health/are-instagram-and-other-social-media-bad-for-your-teens -mental-h/. Access.. 2020.