In today’s digital age, social media permeates daily existence. Individuals have become increasingly dependent on their digital devices for connectivity and engagement. Constant exposure to social media has detrimental effects on mental health, particularly among adolescents. However, heightened levels of anxiety and depression and low self-esteem are associated with the unrealistic standards and comparisons inherent in social media culture. Habits of endlessly scrolling on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat lead individuals down a rabbit hole of self-doubt because social media depicts idealized lives that blur the lines of reality. Adolescents struggling with the challenges of the digital age should reduce their use of social media to improve their well-being.
Adolescents’ frequent consumption of social media raises concerns about mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. A 2015 survey by the Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Vivek H. Murthy found that 95 percent of teenagers engage with social media, and two-thirds use it daily, making it a constant factor in their lives. The survey recorded that, on average, teenagers utilize social media platforms for three and a half hours per day. Of these teenagers, 46 percent acknowledge that social media makes them feel worse about themselves, particularly regarding body image. Teens who engage with social media for more than three hours are twice as likely to experience mental health issues, according to hhs.gov.
The action of scrolling on social media creates an ongoing cycle of negative thoughts and feelings that may feel inescapable. These online habits negatively impact everyday life, leading to heightened frustration, diminished productivity, mental exhaustion, and impaired concentration. Studies underscore the disturbing correlation between prolonged periods of scrolling and adverse outcomes, which include disruptions in sleep patterns, the onset of physical symptoms linked to elevated stress levels, and a generalized feeling of low self-worth, according to caldwellmemorial.org. These repercussions significantly impede an individual’s well-being and overall quality of life, influencing a decline in mental health for adolescents.
The simple act of aimlessly scrolling through social media sets off a complicated series of neurological reactions. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter referred to as the “feel-good” hormone, is critical to this process. Dopamine fills the brain with every scroll and notification, creating a delightful experience that encourages continued engagement as users search for the next dopamine hit. Amidst this enjoyment, however, the subtle presence of stress lurks. The abundance of negative content on social media can activate the stress response in the body. The juxtaposition of pleasure and stress cultivates an addiction to scrolling, according to medium.com.
For these reasons, it is critical that adolescents mitigate the detrimental effects of scrolling. One way to manage this habit is by setting timers to regulate social media usage. Instead of seeking to relax or recharge by scrolling on their phones, teenagers should immerse themselves in nature or spend time with family and friends, according to psycologyofeverything.com. It is crucial that adolescents step away from screens to cultivate human connections during their developmental stages of life.
Unfortunately, social media capitalizes on this human need for interpersonal connections. Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor of psychiatry and addiction medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, commented on how online platforms have effectively outsourced the work of genuine human connection, compelling individuals to invest efforts online to the allure of addictive scrolling.
“Social media has essentially taken human connection and turned it into a drug by distilling it down to the essential properties that make something addictive,” Dr. Lembke said, according to washingtonpost.com. “When we engage with social media, it releases a lot of dopamine in the brain’s reward pathway and lights up the same part of the brain as drugs and alcohol. It’s incredibly accessible. We have 24/7 access to this particular drug. It’s bountiful, it’s practically speaking infinite. It’s incredibly novel, the AI algorithms learn what we liked before and push to us the suggestion that we want to keep going or check out the next new thing.”
The goal of rewards is at the center of the social media engagement cycle as it captivates users in an endless loop. Social media platforms are deliberately designed to offer an infinite stream of content, fostering a sense of limitless exploration. Driven by conditioned behavior rather than conscious choice, this scrolling becomes automatic. Users find themselves investing increasing amounts of time in this digital pursuit. These platforms receive useful data from every interaction with posts, which helps them customize ads and content to match user preferences. By further reinforcing the scrolling habit, this tailored experience significantly increases user engagement, according to edu.gcfglobal.org. Social media platforms’ disregard for users’ mental health emphasizes the importance of platform regulation that values an individual’s well-being.
Despite this, it is true that social media has various advantages for adolescents as it has become an integral part of their lives that facilitates connections. Through social media, adolescents can explore diverse interests and hobbies by accessing a wealth of educational content and resources that broadens their knowledge and skills. The creative freedom offered by social media platforms allows teenagers to express themselves with various mediums, boosting their self-confidence and self-expression, according to healthmatters.nyp.org. When adolescents use social media wisely and responsibly, it can offer them numerous opportunities for personal growth, learning, and social interaction. However, excessive social media use can overstimulate the brain, triggering pathways similar to addiction.
The pervasive influence of social media in today’s digital age presents significant challenges for adolescents’ well-being. Constant exposure to curated content and endless scrolling influences unrealistic standards and comparisons, increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Adolescents become addicted to scrolling due to the pleasurable experience of a dopamine hit that encourages continuous engagement. By recognizing the addictive nature of social media platforms and their manipulation of human connection, teenagers can gain control over their digital habits. Users who reconsider their use of social media and prioritize their relationships may find more profound connections and improved well-being. In a world where screens are everywhere, it is beneficial for adolescents to reduce social media use and put their mental health first.
Featured Image by Caitlin Leahy ’25
