I believe social media has both positive and negative impacts on society. Although it can be harmful, it also can be helpful.

Social media is known to affect students’ mental health which leads to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. 

The generation I think is most vulnerable is Gen Z. The reason why is they compare themselves to what they see online and believe they are not up to the beauty standards. 

Kelsey Smith, a counselor at Woodhaven High School says “I believe social media has definitely contributed to increased feelings of loneliness, unhealthy comparison, and setting of unrealistic expectations which can result in a negative impact on one’s mental health.”

Seeing how many likes someone’s post gets or how many comments it gets can make others feel bad about themselves. It makes them often wonder why they do not receive that many likes or comments.  

I believe cyberbullies are a huge part that affects a student’s mental health. They harass, threaten, and embarrass people all by using the internet. 

CyberBullying Research Center surveyed 35,000 elementary, middle school, and high school students. Their results stated “Overall, about 30% of the teens we have surveyed over the last twelve studies have told us that they have been cyberbullied at some point in their lifetimes. About 13% said they were cyberbullied in the 30 days preceding the survey.”

Spending time on your phone scrolling through TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram can negatively affect your sleep schedule leading to emotional health issues. 

With all that being said, social media does have positive effects. It helps students express themselves, communicate with others, and seek help with school-related problems like studying for a test. 

“Social media can be a wonderful tool that students can use to express themselves, connect with others, and gain access to information.” Mrs. Smith also acknowledges the positive aspects of social media for students.

If a group of students is raising awareness about an issue that has occurred at school or if an individual is raising money for a family that has had an unfortunate event happen in their life, it can reach a broader audience by using social media. 

For me, social media provides a platform for myself and others to share achievements through the use of photos and videos captured on the internet for friends and family to see.

“Social media has many positive and enjoyable benefits, but it can also lead to mental health problems. Previous research found that age did not have an effect but gender did; females were much more likely to experience mental health than males.” According to NIH (National Institutes of Health) found that gender does play a role in whose mental health affects more.