Social media and mental health

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of teenagers’ lives, offering platforms for connection, entertainment, and information. However, along with its benefits, there’s a growing concern about the rise of parasocial relationships and their impact on teen mental health.

A study in the National Library of Medicine explains that many social media users are forming these relationships, which are “nonreciprocal socio-emotional connections with media figures such as celebrities or influencers.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35219157/

Parasocial relationships refer to one-sided connections that individuals develop with media personalities, influencers, or celebrities. In the digital realm, it’s easy to feel a sense of intimacy with these public figures due to their curated online personas and constant presence in our feeds. As a result, teens (and adults) may begin to form emotional attachments, considering these personalities as close friends or role models, despite the lack of any real-life interaction.

While these relationships are usually harmless and have positive influences, they can sometimes impact mental health through negative comparisons, raising insecurity and distorting reality.

As parents, educators, and guardians, it is crucial to foster open conversations with teens about their digital lives and experiences. Encouraging a healthy balance between online and offline interactions can help mitigate the negative impact of parasocial relationships.

Promoting critical thinking skills to discern between reality and online personas can also empower teens to maintain a healthy perspective while engaging with social media.

Remind yourself, your children or your students that there are real relationships out there, and friends and family who are posting things that they are proud of, that they want to share with you specifically, or who are just calling out to make sure you know they are okay. Maybe, spend a second of your time on social media to like their posts too, and tell them you’re there, and that their interests and posts are important too. Even better, put the phone down, and go talk to them in person!