Teen Counseling: Social Media and Teen Mental Health
Teen Counseling: Social Media and Teen Mental Health
Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC
You know that social media and the endless scrolling that it entails are stealing your time. You recognize getting caught in this repetitive loop but you can’t seem to reel it back in. As you scroll, you feel your anxiety rising as you compare yourself to others. You edit posts repeatedly, agonizing over how others will see you.
Your heart drops when you see your friends post that they were out having fun and realize that you weren't invited. That sense of rejection feels like a fire that lights you up inside. Suddenly, you’ve become your worst critic as your internal voice comments and compares each time you open TikTok and Instagram.
All this negative self-talk is making you increasingly anxious and eating away at your self-esteem.
As therapists who specialize in teen counseling, we can help you feel calmer and get your confidence back.
We understand that much of your social life revolves around social media and how challenging it can be to find balance in this digital age. We can help you navigate being on social media without letting it completely take over your emotions and self-esteem. Through anxiety therapy, there can be a way to continue using Instagram and TikTok without it destroying your sense of self.
How Does Social Media Impact Mental Health
You may notice that as soon as you stop scrolling and put down your phone, you feel anxious or agitated. The running internal commentary that social media can provoke may continue this cycle of feeling anxious and on edge. You probably already have some awareness that social media can cause anxiety or you wouldn’t be reading this article.
You may notice that you feel lonely or inadequate after getting off social media, which may feel overwhelming or unbearing at times. Recent research indicates this as well, as there have been studies that show a link between time spent consuming social media and increased symptoms of depression and anxiety.
When you are constantly exposed to seeing other people’s lives, often the best, filtered versions of them, this may lead to more negativity towards yourself. You may start feeling as if you are not good enough, not pretty enough, or not bright enough as you’re scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. Despite noticing you feel negatively towards yourself the more you look at social media, this may not stop you from continuing to use these apps.
Comparison and Seeking Validation on Social Media
Do you find that you are constantly comparing yourself to others on social media? Constant comparison erodes your confidence, fills you with self-doubt, and can make you feel inadequate. You start to get this feeling that you don't fit in anywhere— not with your friends, family, or not even within your own body. These feelings are common among teens and can lead to a sense of overwhelm, making it hard to cope through them.
You are not alone in feeling this way - research conducted with teens indicates that they have similar struggles. In a recent study, teens aged 13 to 17 years old describe a mix of positive and negative experiences with social media. While many say that social media can help them feel connected to their friends' lives and have a platform to express themselves, others share the downsides of social media by expressing they feel overwhelmed by drama they see online, alienated by friends, or driven to post for likes and comments. This research also shows that teen girls experience this overwhelming feeling through social media more frequently than teen boys.
Tips for Teens When Using Social Media
If you have noticed social media is making you feel anxious or overwhelmed, help is out there. At Mindful Living Counseling, we provide anxiety therapy in Orlando. Therapy can provide a calm space to express how you’re feeling, learn new ways to cope, and start to feel confident again. Implementing the tips below can also help you interact with social media in a more balanced, positive way.
Use Social Media Mindfully
As you scroll on your phone, be mindful of why you are using social media. Is it because you need a break from homework? Is it because you're curious about what your friends are up to? Check-in with yourself to see what drives you to keep engaging with social media content or whether you need a break. Be mindful of how social media impacts you and how you handle it. For example, you see something on your feed and feel anxious. Do you keep going and make yourself more anxious, or do you pause, take a social media break, and return later?
Set Healthy Boundaries
There are so many other fun things to do aside from being online. Taking a social media break can be beneficial to allow you more time to explore other interests. It can be helpful to set boundaries on how much time you spend on social media and engage in hobbies and other offline activities instead. Limit your social media time by challenging yourself to explore a new hobby or activity you’re interested in. Taking a break throughout the day from your phone and getting off social media at least 15 minutes before bed can be beneficial as well.
Focus on Yourself
With so many online experiences, losing track of ourselves is easy. Focusing on yourself does not mean staying offline all the time. It involves checking in with how you feel, being attentive to yourself, and questioning how you feel when browsing social media and comparing yourself to others. Taking time to focus on yourself can help remind you of all the positive traits you have rather than focusing on the negative thoughts that social media comparisons can cause.
Social Media Tips for Parents
As a parent, it can be difficult to approach this topic with your teen. You don't want to come off as overly controlling with your teen but you also see the impact that social media has on them. You want to respect their autonomy, yet you worry that constantly looking at their screen and comparing their lives to others’ lives on social media is hurting their self-esteem. You may find yourself constantly pleading with them to put down their phone and spend time with the family, get their homework done, get more sleep, or do their chores. How do you approach the daunting topic of social media with your teen?
Our teen therapists in Orlando can be a safe place to address your teen's anxiety from social media and also help you learn ways to approach this topic with them. Below are some helpful hints as well for discussing social media with your teen.
Communicate Openly and Honestly
Express your concerns about their excessive social media use while also asking your teen about their experiences. Social media can impact teens in a variety of different ways - asking about how they feel as they are scrolling online can help you better understand their emotions about it. By discussing this, it can start a conversation on further educating them on the impact of social media and the potential risks associated with excessive use.
Identify Other Hobbies
Sometimes teens continue to scroll through social media out of boredom. This may be particularly true during school breaks or over Summer. If this is the case, help your teen identify what other hobbies or interests they could do instead of spending excessive time on social media.
Set Rules and Be a Good Role Model
Being a role model for your teen can be a helpful way to set a positive example on how to use social media in a mindful and responsible way. Setting and communicating boundaries for social media use for all family members can be one way to do this. Examples of this could be each family member taking social media breaks throughout the day, turning notifications off during meals and family time, or limiting how frequently you check your social media accounts.
How Can Teen Counseling Orlando Help?
At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we understand how the challenges that social media can cause for teens. Sometimes, you may be able to cope through these challenges on your own. Other times you may feel overwhelmed and notice that your daily life is being negatively impacted. Anxiety therapy Orlando can provide a welcoming and supportive environment to allow you to express yourself openly, talk about your feelings, and pave a path forward to feeling calmer again.
Our highly trained clinicians can equip you with tools to cope with anxiety such as mindfulness, grounding, or relaxation. They can help you recognize thoughts that impact how you feel about yourself and learn to set healthy boundaries so that you use social media responsibly and healthily.
Ready to start Teen Counseling Orlando?
Our team is ready to get started in your teen’s healing journey. The teen therapists at Mindful Living Counseling will help your teen regain control of their emotions, help improve their self-esteem, and bring peace back to your home. To get started with a Teen Therapist at Mindful Living Counseling:
Fill out our New Client Consultation Form
Schedule a consultation call with our Client Care Coordinator
Start the journey of helping your teen heal.
Not Quite Ready for Teen Counseling?
Mindful Living Teen Counselors are highly trained and prepared to help your teen! As Orlando therapists, they will help your teen gain tools that will help them overcome any anxiety they may be struggling with. If your teen is not ready for teen counseling, we understand. In the meantime, feel free to read the articles below.
Additional Teen Counseling Resources
Anxiety Therapy Orlando: Digital Wellness
How to Validate Your Teen So They Feel More Understood
How to Find an Orlando Therapist for Teens
What to Expect: Teen Therapy Orlando
Therapist Orlando Spotlight - Elizabeth Chambers, LMHC
8 Questions to Ask a Teen Counselor in Orlando
How to Talk to Your Teen: 6 Helpful Steps
An Anxiety Therapist Shares Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando, FL
At Mindful Living Counseling we understand that teen counseling may not be the only challenge you may struggle with. We offer a variety of therapy services at Mindful Living Counseling which include Trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, Toxic Relationship Therapy, and Anxiety Therapy. We encourage you to check out our Guided Meditations. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Teen Counseling Spotlight: Elizabeth Yoak, LMHC
Mindful Living’s Teen Therapist Elizabeth Yoak, LMHC specializes in teen counseling. She helps teens overcome the anxiety, suffering, and emotions that affect their daily lives. Elizabeth loves working with teens and helping them live happier and calmer lives.
When Elizabeth has some downtime, you'll find her curled up with a good mystery novel, hanging out with her hubby and furry friends, or taking a leisurely stroll around Lake Eola with a delicious cup of iced coffee in hand.