, I wanted to start a conversation about a topic that became very relevant for the past decade: the mental health of youth, especially in relation to the influence of social media. We've seen a lot of alarming data in recent years, and I think it’s something worth discussing!!
Did you know that according to recent studies, around 70% of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 in Serbia report experiencing anxiety, with more than 50% showing signs of depression (KOMS research, Istrazivanje Zdravlje mladih.cdr)? Mental health issues like these are becoming more prevalent, and there’s a growing concern about how social media may be contributing to this trend. There’s a lot of evidence suggesting that platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are making mental health struggles worse for many teens. In fact, studies have shown a clear link between heavy social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety. (Social media harms teens’ mental health, mounting evidence shows. What now?)
On the flip side, there are some studies suggesting that social media can offer benefits like creating communities for people with shared interests and providing platforms for self-expression. But it's clear that the potential harms are something we need to address. Research shows that passive use of social media—just scrolling through posts without engaging—can make us compare ourselves to others, which harms our self-esteem.
What do you all think? Has social media been affecting your mental health? Or do you see any benefits? Let’s talk about it.
