Social Media and Teen Depression

Hiding quietly, mostly out of sight, among the thousands of videos of cats and school place “fails,” endless photos of summer beach trips, birthday parties, and school dances is a reality most parents never see—teen depression. We typically think of social media as something that connects people or allows them to share their thoughts and views. While that may be true, there is an abundance of body shaming, gossiping, and going on.

As youth pastors, we’re on the front lines of this. We’re discipling students who are actively shaping their identities in digital spaces. And we have the chance to not only speak into their hearts, but to help guide parents and leaders to do the same.

Part of our human nature is to compare ourselves to others. This exercise in mental gymnastics to determine whether or not one person is as “good” as someone else is strongest during the teen and tween years. Every day, teenagers are attempting to figure out their identity, what makes them who they are, and what gives their lives meaning. Considering that 92% of teens are online each day, chances are the majority of your students are on social media, and it is playing into their identity.

Because of the need for comparison, students often count how many “friends” each person has online, how many “likes” everyone else’s photos get on Instagram, and how many views the outgoing kid in their gym class has on his/her YouTube video channel. It’s no surprise how this can deeply affect their mental and emotional health.

One recent study showed that 90% of all teens admit to feeling anxiety at some point in the last year. Admittedly, not all tension or anxiousness is bad. Sometimes, it can be the mind’s way of saying, “Hey, this is a toxic relationship. You need to end it,” or “You don't have to be a part of this. Get up and leave.” Even with that, social media should never be something that adds to the stress or anxiety of teens. Here are three ways to help teens avoid social media depression: Time, Place, and Duration.

TIME THEY ARE USING

Two studies have linked excessive social media exposure to poor sleep quality, irritability, and insomnia. The typical teen who texts in bed is now losing one hour of sleep each night, not because of homework, family stress, or their job, but rather because they are unable to turn off the screen. Before they drift off to sleep, the last thoughts running through a teenager's mind might be, “I’m not good enough,” I’m not as popular,” or “I’m not smart enough,” all because they’ve just spent their final waking moments of the day comparing themselves to everyone they saw on Facebook.

Action Step: Encourage parents to make nighttime bedtime. Give parents tips or ideas on how their teenagers can put their phones in the kitchen or across the room from their bed so as not to distract them from sleeping.

PLACE THEY ARE USING

It can be difficult for parents to see the stress that their student’s Snapchat or Instagram account might be causing because it’s something they engage with primarily in private or with other peers. Parents don’t see the stress because they’re not around when it’s happening. This is potentially more damaging the younger a child is when using social media.

Action Step: Encourage parents to monitor the amount of time their teenagers spend on screens in their rooms. If teenagers are just beginning to use social media, consider restricting their use to only the Living Room. Address the mental danger of logging in alone and where they can use social media appropriately.

LENGTH THEY ARE USING

Teens now interact with social media longer and more often than with other media on a daily basis. According to Pew Research Center, 24% of teens use social media “almost constantly, with 22% of them logging in more than 10 times each day. The typical tween/teen is on social media for more than two hours a day. With that kind of saturation, it can be difficult for even the most mature kid not to lose sight of their own identity on social media.

Equip the parents connected to your ministry to handle issues like technology, sexting, pornography, video games, and more in their homes with Screen Smarts! 

Action Step: Encourage parents to have conversations with their teens to keep their morning simple and wait until after school hours to log on. When they wake up and when they are trying to learn, they shouldn’t be cluttered with others’ thoughts and actions from social media. Encourage parents how to be present with each other in those early morning moments.

You don’t need to have all the answers for parents, but you can be a guide. Keep pointing families to Christ. Keep empowering parents with tools, and keep creating spaces in your ministry to talk about these realities.

Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community:

1. In what ways am I currently helping students find their identity in Christ instead of social media? Where can I be more intentional in my teaching to help?
2. How can I better equip parents in my ministry to recognize and respond to the emotional and spiritual effects of social media?

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