This is an opinion article piece. Libby Frumento is a student at Mendham News. All opinions expressed in the following editorial are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Patriot. 

Social media has been an aspect of everyone’s daily routine in some way or another for years, however its usage has gone up significantly as technology advances. With IPhones, it is possible to reach anyone from any location and view what they post on social media. Although social media connects the world together can this increased consumption be detrimental to teenagers? 

It is no secret that the majority of social media users are of the younger generation as they grew up surrounded by technology. People of the older generations had to grow up finding ways to connect with others in person, however teenagers can go without this experience. Especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals all over the world rely on social media and the internet to stay close with those they cannot see. Even though it is convenient and fast to use, always depending on a screen to meet others can alter one’s social skills significantly. According to ChildMind, “modern teens are learning to do most of their communication while looking at a screen, not another person”. Kids are missing out on the essential social skills they will need for the future because most forms of communication can be done online. 

Not only are teens missing out the world in front of them, but what is shown through social media can be harmful to the perspective of reality. Teenagers are growing up in a time where photos posted on social media are photoshopped and are not actually accurate to how a person looks/acts in real life. Many times as well, people see others lives through social media and long to achieve the same lifestyle without understanding what is real and what is fake.

Additionally, with its addictive nature, social media can prevent teenagers from participating in day to day activities that do not involve a screen. Valuable time spent devoted to family, friends and school is being transformed into mindless scrolling on social media. Not only has social media taken away social skills, however there are also studies that show social media users are at greater risk of having anxiety and depression. According to MayoClinic, “2016 study of more than 450 teens found that greater social media use, nighttime social media use and emotional investment in social media — such as feeling upset when prevented from logging on — were each linked with worse sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression”. Whether it be the lack of being social, or the lack of sleep that comes with social media consumption (VeryWellFamily.com), social media in general in becoming more detrimental to those who use it, especially to teenagers.