The Impact of Social Media on Teen Self-Esteem: A Parent's Guide
Social media has become a normal part of our lives today—and it's important for parents to understand how it affects children and teens so they can guide them in positive ways.
I remember a case where a parent brought in their teenage daughter, Ava, who used to be cheerful, but recently had a change in her behavior. She seemed more withdrawn, spent hours on her phone, and became more critical of her appearance.
During our sessions, I learned how she constantly compared herself to the lifestyles portrayed by the people she followed online. This made her feel "inadequate" and like she "didn't measure up."
Social Media and Teen Self-Esteem: What Research Says
A study involving 500 teens, aged 13 to 17, from different backgrounds, showed that the more time they spend on social media, the lower their self-esteem tends to be. Moreover, those who mainly viewed images and videos on social media generally had lower self-esteem compared to those who spent more time engaging with text-based content.
Social media can impact self-esteem in the following ways:
- Comparison
- Exposure to unrealistic beauty standards
- Fear of missing out (FOMO)
- Reliance on others for positive feedback
- Cyberbullying
Helping Teens Break Free from the Influence of Social Media
My therapy work with Ava involved building her awareness of social media’s unrealistic standards, identifying any negative thought patterns she struggled with, and using cognitive restructuring to challenge the validity of these thoughts.
Remember: While therapy can be helpful for exploring deeper issues related to social media—parents can support their teens at home by modeling healthy tech habits themselves.
Encourage offline activities, such as pursuing hobbies and creative endeavors, as well as open, meaningful conversations about social media.
I hope today’s newsletter helps.
*This article was originally published in our email newsletter on November 5, 2024.
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