Phone impact on mental health
- Kiana Kay
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Social media and phones are everywhere! They have transformed the way we communicate and spend our free time. It’s great and keeps everyone connected. But it also has a lot of negative effects that are difficult to notice, and can cause teens to feel stressed or anxious.
The Impact of Social Media: Social media has lots of benefits, but there is also a negative side. For example, it keeps you connected with your friends! But it’s also full of unrealistic standards, flawless pictures for example, can lead you to compare yourself unrealistically to people's highlights. Notifications all the time? They put this constant pressure on people to always be up to date. In addition, social media platforms are made to keep you interested, the algorithm can lead you to scroll for hours on end without even noticing.
Why it affects teens specifically: Our developing brains make it more difficult to limit our screen time. Overuse of phones and social media can become addictive which is horrible for your mental wellbeing, especially first thing in the morning or right before bed. This is why experts advise setting time limits for phone use, such as shutting off screen time 30-60 minutes before bed and not going on it immediately when you wake up.
Finding a Balance: You don’t need to limit your phone use completely to avoid the negative impacts!
Establish limits: Consider avoiding using your phone right before bed or in the morning. Put it outside of your studying space or outside your bedroom when you are asleep.
Consider your feelings: How do you feel after looking at certain profiles, or being on certain apps? Take note of that and use the app or unfollow accounts that lead to negative feelings.
Take breaks: It's refreshing to occasionally take a step back, for example deleting apps such as TikTok or Instagram for a couple weeks during exam season.
Remember to treat yourself with kindness: Although everyone occasionally compares themselves towards other people, this does not determine your value, keep that in mind.
Although social media and phones have changed our lives for the better, they bring a lot of problems that impact everyone’s mental health. The effects range from stress and anxiety, to insomnia and increased feelings of unworthiness. Don’t worry! You can take advantage of the positive effects without allowing the negative ones to take a toll on you. It’s all about balance.
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