Scrolling Into Self Doubt

The Oxford Dictionary defines social media as “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking,” but when dissected, this term reveals the true effect of influence. To understand this, we first need to break the phrase down. Social, pertaining to society and its structure, emphasizes human interaction, relationships, and normalized ideals. On the other hand, media refers to the channels and tools to encourage communication for a large audience. When put together, these words form a complex system of digital platforms in which social interaction and mass communication operate simultaneously. As a result, social media has the ability to infiltrate adolescent minds, which reinforces social standards and patterns of comparison.

Societal phenomena exist both in real life and in the digital space. For example, humans naturally group physical attractiveness with positive traits and physical unattractiveness with negative traits, thus shaping our social experiences and personal caliber. But how does this apply to our own perception? Routinely, we scroll on our phones for “[at least] 5 hours a day” on apps that encourage excessive exposure of advertisements, bodies, and beauty standards (Twenge). The more we watch these outright filtered videos and unrealistic body figures, the more our self-perception becomes blurred. As shown by the study done by Demetirou et al., there is a “strong link between frequent social media use and negative body image” (Demetirou et al., 2025). As teenagers, we have enough to worry about: our academics, athletics, and future. Our mental health cannot afford to attempt to withstand yet another internal battle.

Lauren Noh, a sophomore at Fort Lee High School, shares: “I've seen firsthand how social media can really impact adolescence and mental health. I had a close friend who constantly compared themselves to what they saw online and it slowly affected their self-esteem. They felt pressured to look perfect and to always be doing better, even when it wasn't that realistic. It made me realize that while social media can be a way to connect, it can also be a source of anxiety and a constant need for validation, especially for teens who are still figuring out who they are.” 

Social media is like a coin: two faced. Despite promoting communication and relationship-building, it can clearly have detrimental effects on adolescents’ health. Without proper management for exposure to unrealistic images, the risks of mental disorders, low self-esteem, and unhealthy comparison will continue to grow.

Works Cited

Twenge, Jean M. A Mind-Blowing Number of Teens Are Spending 7+ Hours a Day on Social Media, Generation Tech, 15 Dec. 2025, www.generationtechblog.com/p/the-mind-blowing-amount-of-time-teens. 

Demetriou, M., et al. “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Body Image: A Comprehensive Review.” European Psychiatry, Cambridge University Press, 26 Aug. 2025, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12437731/.