Mental health of youth- The influence of social networks

[andreatra]

Breaks help, but they’re not a long-term solution. We need to change the culture around social media. Right now, it’s all about performance—looking good, getting likes, appearing successful. If we promoted more authenticity online and focused on real connections instead of validation, social media could actually become healthier.

[seherZada]

I agree. We also need better education about mental health and social media. Many young people don’t even realize that their anxiety or depression is connected to their screen time. If we taught them about how social media affects their brain, maybe they’d be more mindful about their usage.

[nemanjam]

Regulation might help too. Right now, tech companies have too much power over what we see. Algorithms push content that keeps us addicted, whether it’s outrage, insecurity, or fake news. Maybe we need laws that force these companies to be more transparent about how their algorithms work.

[kacatom]

That’s a great point. Some countries have already started introducing screen time warnings and restrictions for young users. Maybe the Western Balkans should do the same. But ultimately, we need a cultural shift. Young people need to understand that their worth isn’t measured by likes or followers. Real life matters more than online validation.

[stefanpeca]

That’s a great takeaway. Maybe social media isn’t the enemy—but we need to rethink how we use it. If we don’t, the next generation might be even more anxious, disconnected, and overwhelmed than we are now.

[AmraLOL]

I've been thinking a lot about how social media affects our mental health. It’s such a big part of our lives, especially for teens, and it’s hard to know where the line is between connection and harm. On one hand, platforms like Instagram or TikTok can give youth a voice, a space to share creativity, and a chance to connect with others who share their struggles. But on the other hand, that same exposure can turn into performance pressure, especially when everything gets judged—how you look, what you wear, even your mental health story. It feels like authenticity has a price.

[DzenitaBoost]

Absolutely. I’ve seen my younger cousins feel anxious when they don’t get enough likes or views. That instant validation—or lack of it—can mess with your self-worth. It becomes a feedback loop where you start measuring your value in numbers. For teenagers whose identities are still forming, that’s really dangerous. They’re learning to link external approval with self-esteem, and that’s not sustainable. We need to teach digital literacy—not just how to use platforms, but how to emotionally navigate them.

[DeaCloud]

It’s also about comparison. You see influencers and even peers always smiling, traveling, achieving. It creates this pressure to keep up, and that can be exhausting and toxic. I’ve spoken with students who’ve admitted they feel like failures if they don’t have a certain lifestyle by the age of 20. That’s completely unrealistic. The curated perfection we see online distorts reality. And unfortunately, schools and parents often don’t know how to address it because they didn’t grow up in this environment.

[BlinaLit]

Yes, the highlight reel syndrome. We don’t post our failures or bad days. So young people start believing they’re the only ones struggling. It isolates them more. Mental health becomes harder to talk about when everyone seems okay online. Worse, it creates a stigma around seeking help—because if no one else is talking about it, you feel like you’re broken. We need more honest conversations. Maybe influencers and content creators can play a role by showing vulnerability.

[MarinaLit]

Another thing I’ve noticed is how social media creates this fake sense of community. You have 500 friends online but feel deeply lonely in real life. It’s the illusion of connection. You scroll through updates, like a few posts, and it feels like socializing—but it’s not the same as face-to-face interaction. Over time, this can erode social skills, empathy, and confidence. Some youth find it harder to hold conversations or form deep friendships offline. The emotional cost is high, even if we don’t see it right away.

[DudaSlaps]

What worries me most is the normalization of toxic behaviors online. Cyberbullying is rampant, and because it’s happening behind screens, it often goes unchecked. Victims are left to deal with it in silence, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. The mental wounds caused by digital harassment are just as deep as those caused in real life. We need stronger online community guidelines and faster interventions—algorithms that protect, not just promote engagement.

[AjlaBlinkz]

As someone studying psychology, I’ve read so many recent studies linking heavy social media use with increased levels of depression, especially among teenage girls. There’s a direct connection between screen time, body dissatisfaction, and anxiety. What’s scary is that the design of these platforms is intentionally addictive. Notifications, infinite scroll, streaks—they’re built to keep you hooked. But the cost of that addiction is often a sense of emptiness, stress, and a loss of real-world joy.

[EdinaNova]

I think another factor we overlook is sleep. So many teens stay up late scrolling through TikTok or watching YouTube, and it completely messes up their sleep cycle. Poor sleep contributes to irritability, poor focus, and even more mental health issues. It’s like a vicious circle—you're anxious, so you scroll, then you can't sleep, and then you’re more anxious. Schools and parents need to be more aware of this digital insomnia epidemic.

[RinaBaddie]

I agree with Luka, and I would add that the issue is even more serious because it’s invisible to most adults. Parents often assume that because their child is quiet in their room, they’re fine. But behind closed doors, teens might be battling waves of insecurity, isolation, or exposure to harmful content like self-harm or eating disorder forums. There has to be more digital awareness among adults. It’s not about surveillance—it’s about support.

[LirikaNova]

One solution could be creating more intentional digital spaces—apps and communities that focus on support, mindfulness, and mental wellness. We need platforms that are not about likes or trends but about real conversation. Maybe if youth had more safe places to express themselves online, they wouldn’t feel so pressured to perform. It’s not about removing social media entirely, but reshaping it so that it nurtures rather than drains us.

[ElsonaSlaps]

Social media isn’t inherently harmful—it’s the way we’ve built our relationship with it that creates risk. For many young people, especially those dealing with anxiety or depression, these platforms become both a lifeline and a trap. They provide access to support groups, mental health awareness content, and even virtual therapy. But at the same time, they amplify comparison, filter reality, and often reward the most extreme behaviors. We need to start teaching young people the difference between consuming content that uplifts and content that silently undermines their confidence and well-being.

[KristinaTrendz]

Let’s also talk about how social media can distort body image. The constant exposure to “ideal” bodies—often edited or filtered—can make teens feel like they’ll never measure up. Boys, too, are increasingly affected, chasing impossible muscular standards. This pressure leads to disordered eating, overtraining, and low self-esteem. What’s dangerous is that these body standards are normalized through likes and reposts. We need to shift the culture toward body neutrality and self-acceptance. Everyone deserves to feel at home in their body without needing to fit a mold designed by algorithms.

[NikolinaBuzz]

I’ve worked with teens in workshops and one recurring issue they bring up is the fear of missing out—FOMO. They see their friends hanging out without them, or someone going to events they weren’t invited to, and they spiral into self-doubt. Social media exaggerates this fear because you see everything in real time. This fear isn't just petty jealousy—it’s deeply tied to feelings of social rejection. It makes them question their worth, their friendships, and even their identity. We have to teach teens how to contextualize what they see online and separate reality from performance.

[NemanjaLOLz]

That’s so real, Ivana. I remember during COVID lockdowns, I relied on Instagram to feel connected—but over time, it actually made me feel more isolated. Everyone seemed to be “thriving in quarantine,” learning new skills, baking, getting fit. Meanwhile, I was just surviving, trying to get out of bed. That disconnect between what we see and what we feel is a huge source of shame. I now limit my time on these apps and focus more on conversations, books, or going outside. It’s not about deleting social media, but about using it in ways that protect your peace.

[SasaGlowUp]

Let’s also talk about how social media affects creativity. On one hand, it inspires—there’s art, music, poetry, all at your fingertips. But on the other, the pressure to be “viral” can kill genuine self-expression. Young creators start tailoring their work for algorithms rather than passion. They post what will trend, not what feels true. This narrows creative exploration and encourages conformity. We need to encourage young artists to value the process, not just the performance. Creativity should be a source of healing, not another metric for popularity.